Chamber leaders, traders, law enforcers and businessmen at a meeting on Wednesday exchanged views on the law and order in the city calling for improving the business environment to protect businessmen and their families.
The meeting at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) voiced at the deteriorating business environment and law and order saying business want improving the overall situation to operate business without fear.
DCCI president Taskin Ahmed said, businessmen are very concerned; they want safety and security of businesses and their family members.
He made the remark at an exchange of views titled "The necessity of maintaining improved law and order situation to facilitate trade and business" organized by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Wednesday.
He said every citizen has the right to exercise democratic freedoms, as it is equally important for business owners to run business without extortion or disruption.
Therefore, considering the difficult geo-political situation, he urged all concerned to remain vigilant so that the day-to-day business not disrupted.
DCCI's former senior vice president Alhaj Abdus Salam said, we are seriously concerned about the recent law and order situation because, it is not even restored up to the expected level yet.
Businessmen are paying taxes and VAT, but their businesses are facing destabilization in unstable law and order situation; this is not acceptable, he said.
Former DCCI vice-president M Abu Horairah recommended increasing parking facilities in Dhaka South city and relocating office of the traffic department from Shantinagar to Gulistan.
DCCI Director Enamul Haque Patwary suggested holding regular coordination meetings of stakeholders and run community awareness raising programmes. The law enforcers call for evacuating makeshift street shops from roads and footpath.
Haji Md. Abul Hashem, president of Bangladesh Sugar Traders Association, urged the government to reduce tax on imported sugar as the price of sugar has increased due to increased tax and capital investment need.
President of Moulvibazar Traders Association Haji Syed Mohammad Bashir Uddin suggested making import open for sugar and edible oil by private sector importers.
Nesar Uddin Khan, senior vice-president of Bangladesh Pulses Traders Association, said businessmen are deeply concerned about the juvenile gang, seeking strict police intervention to prevent it.
Hazi Foyezuddin, vice-president of Bangladesh Manihari Merchants Association, said trucks carrying goods are not accessible to go to Chawkbazar and other places as entry to old city are closed due to narrow roads.
President of Mohammadpur Townhall Kachabazar Traders' Association Lutfur Rahman Babu said law and order situation at Mohammadpur area is deteriorating when the law enforcement agencies are not taking effective steps in this regard.
Motijheel Police station Inspector (Investigation) Md. Mahaimenul Islam said the law and order situation after August 5 did not improve, it is still not conducive for business.
President of Bangladesh Edible Oil Traders Association. DCCI senior vice president Razeev H Chowdhury, vice president Md. Salem Sulaiman and convenor of law and order standing committee Waliul Islam Dollar were also present in the meeting.
