Top business leaders on Saturday night suggested BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to sit at secretary general-level dialogue to break the country’s prolonged political deadlock through a peaceful way.
“We’ve proposed sitting in an unconditional dialogue at secretary general-level. She (Khaleda) agreed on the proposal,” FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed told reporters after a marathon meeting with the former premier at her Gulshan office.
BNP Chairperson’s adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, however, said the business leaders proposed a dialogue at secretary general-level. “The BNP Chairperson welcomed the proposal and asked the business leaders to initiate talks and she’ll see the development.”
Amir Khasru said the country belongs to people, not the politicians. “Ninety percent people of the country want nonparty neutral government to oversee polls. Hope,people’s demand will be reflected in the dialogue.”
The FBBCI chief said they will talk to Awami League over their proposal for arranging a dialogue within the next few days.
Akram Uddin Ahmed said though it is difficult to bring all the business leaders on the same board, they did it for the sake of the country, the nation and the economy.
“We want to do business peacefully. Our politicians talk about a level-playing field. We also need a level-playing field for doing business uninterruptedly,” he said.
Akram Uddin said they will put in their efforts from tomorrow (Sunday) for arranging the dialogue. “We want it as soon as possible. We want to sit with Awami League within the next couple of days.”
The FBCCI Chief hoped that their initiative would be successful. “If they listen to us, then we’ll say our opinion has been evaluated.”
Responding to a question on hartal withdrawal, he said if they can sit in the dialogue there might be decisions on hartal withdrawal, too.
Abdul Awal Mintoo thanked the FBCCI for taking the initiative bringing all business leaders on the same platform. “We’ve come here with a positive note of holding a dialogue.”
The business delegation is planning to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban by November 7.
Meeting sources said they had a frank discussion on a wide range of issues, including the next national election, ongoing political crisis, overall situation of trade and commerce, hartal and government’s attitude towards the opposition.
Earlier, the BNP Chief briefed the business leaders for nearly 46 minutes touching all relevant issues and she also described the justification of their movement in support of their demand.
Earlier, a 50-member business delegation, led by Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, met Khaleda Zia as part of their plan to convince top political leaders to reach a consensus through a peaceful dialogue.
The two and half an hour meeting began around 8:40pm and continued till 11:15pm.
The delegation members include former FBCCI presidents Yusuf Abdullah Harun, Mir Nasir Hossain, Annisul Huq, AK Azad, M Akram Hossain, MA Kashem, DCCI President Sabur Khan, BGMEA president M Atiqul Islam,MCCI president Rokia Afzal Rahman and Women Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (WEAB) president Nasreen Awal Mintoo.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Chairperson’s advisers Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Dr Osman Faruk BNP and joint secretary general Barkat Ullah Bulu were, among others, present.
On Tuesday, the FBCCI President urged the country’s two top political leaders to reach an understanding, and said they will mount their pressure on the politicians to resolve the political crisis politically and peacefully to ensure a sound business environment.
On Monday, business leaders, including former FBCCI presidents Salman F Rahman, Yusuf Abdullah Harun, Mir Nasir Hossain, Annisul Huq, AK Azad, M Akram Hossain, BGMEA president M Atiqul Islam, BKMEA presidentAKM Selim Osman, MCCI president Rokia Afzal Rahman, DCCI PresidentSabur Khan and FBCCI vice president M Helal Uddin, held a meeting in Westin Hotel to work out their plan in the face of fast-deteriorating political situation in the country.
Source: UNBConnect
