Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has called upon the government to consider declaring Saturdays open for the month of December 2008 as there will be only 16 working days in the month owing to many government holidays including Eid-ul-Azha festival, Victory Day, National elections and Christmas besides regular weekly holidays.

December being the last month of the calendar year, there will be lots of activities in banks, insurance companies and business houses including international business transactions, the DCCI said in a press statement on Wednesday.

The trade body also called upon the government to take into account the amount of work involved in the year ending.

The publication of annual reports of companies including the yearly audits and accounts are huge tasks that put extra pressure on the concerned departments and the staff.

While the closing documents take time to be prepared and streamlined, normal business activities need to be continued as well. Specially the manufacturing and export units have to maintain chain of production and shipment to meet deadlines, the DCCI said.

Moreover, the annual tax returns are also a concern that demands attention of the business organizations.

Two-day weekly holiday has already taken a toll on the economy of the country, the trade body observed.

BBN/SI/SS/AD-20November08-9:23 AM (BST)