The International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh on Wednesday said that it wanted immediate restoration of law and order and safety of production units amid reports of violence and arson attacks on factories in the past two days following the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
At a press conference in the capital, the trade body said that immediate restoration of law and order was needed to get the economy back on track.
Mahbubur Rahman, president of the ICCB, said that the chamber welcomed the proposed formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
鈥楾he student protests have led to a historic achievement. However, miscreants are causing chaos in businesses and industries across the country.聽We cannot continue in such a situation,鈥� he said, adding that the violence would cause huge damage to the economy.
鈥榃e need law and order to be restored immediately to protect the worldwide reputation that Bangladesh has established in the ready-made garment sector,鈥� he further said.
He said that a strong role must be taken to strengthen the economy, including banking sector, and all efforts to earn foreign exchange should be continued and intensified.
Mahbubur laid emphasis on taking necessary measures to bring the inflation to a bearable level.
He said that private sector was the main driving force of the country鈥檚 economy, so the government must take special initiatives to develop this sector.
AK Azad, managing director of Ha-Meem Group, said that the interim government would need some more days to fully begin operations.
Azad, also a former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that businesses were facing huge losses as they had to work by counting hours.聽
He said that quick improvement of law and order in the country was needed. It was also important to reopen factories, keeping people safe and making sure police stations and officers were working properly, he added.
He also said that they sought cooperation from the army to restore law and order and provide security to factories.
鈥榃e have tried to reach the army鈥檚 chief of general staff several times, but failed. Through this press conference, we are seeking help from the chief of army staff for the sake of restoring the economy,鈥� he said.
鈥楨very day, buyers are asking for updates on their product delivery, but we are unable to tell them anything due to the current situation in the country,鈥� he added.
