Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Twenty-seven business bodies, led by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), on Saturday urged the political parties concerned to withdraw the March 3-5 general strike for the sake of the economy and avoiding violence.
They urged the political parties to adopt the policy of compromise and restraint shunning the path of confrontational politics and violence.
The signatories to the joint statement include FBCCI President Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) President AK Azad, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Rokia Afzar Rahman, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Sabur Khan, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Morshed Murad Ibrahim, Bangladesh Garment
Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President AKM Selim Osman, Bangladesh Textile Mills association President Jahangir Alamin, Bangladesh Oushod Shilpa Samity President Salman F Rahman, Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Alhaj Khalilur Rahman.
Requesting the political parties concerned to call off the strikes, generally known as hartal, the statement said, “The economy is now in a sound position driven by combined efforts. Hartal is hurting the economy extremely and tarnishing the country’s image globally.”
It also said the business community stood against hartal in the greater interest of the national economy.
BBN/SSR/AD-02Mar13-9:05 pm (BST)
