Top business leaders at a press conference in the city on Wednesday welcomed the proposal of an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus and sought the help of the armed forces to stabilize the country's law and order in industrial areas to ensure security of factories.
The press conference organized by the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB) at a hotel in Banani voiced concerns at the prevailing unruly situation and highlighted the need to stabilize the situation.
They said, "There is no such thing as the government or opposition party to businessmen. The private sector will support those who will be in charge of the government."
ICCB President Mahbubur Rahman said in the opening remark that the country's student community has made history. However, miscreants have been wreaking havoc in various businesses and industries for a few days. Such a situation cannot be accepted in any way and cannot continue. Failure to stop these miscreants will cause huge damage.
He called upon the army to bring law and order situation back to normal with strict measures. Former FBCCI President AK Azad said, "The interim government will start functioning fully. But those of us involved in manufacturing and export have to work by the hour. In the last few days, various factories have been vandalized, set on fire and looted. In this situation we cannot run the factory."
He said, "In the current situation, we strongly demand the implementation of four issues such as normalization of law and order situation, protection to factories to open, ensure safety in people's lives and activate police stations and police."
The business leader said, cooperation of the army has been sought to restore law and order and provide security to factories. Last night, he said he had spoken to the army chief on these issues.
Former president of BGMEA Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez said, "We welcome Dr Yunus as the head of the interim government. He is a respected person in the country and internationally. As a result, it is expected to restore the country's image and gain the confidence of foreign buyers."
He said, "Now our economic crisis is going on. Dollar reserves are low. Unemployment is increasing. So it will be difficult for the interim government if the money movers in the economy don't get confidence. So everyone should be active in that place."
Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez said. "The students of anti-discrimination student movement are very responsible, now the students are cleaning the roads. But they are trying. Now with their efforts when safety-security is ensured, the situation will be normal. We are in a precarious position though.
Hopefully it will be normal in the next day or two. This should be confirmed as soon as possible."
Group-CEO of Transcom Group Simin Rahman said that bringing the country's law and order back to normal is the most important task now. It is necessary to restore law and order not only for business but also for the normal life of people.
