Top businessmen in the country on Wednesday sought assistance from President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the three chiefs of the army, navy and air force to take swift action to restore normalcy and ensure security for factories.
Expressing concern over the recent chaos, they reported miscreants setting fire to factories, attacking police stations, and vandalising homes, calling for the swift restoration of law and order and a return to a normal business environment, while also welcoming Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser of the interim government.
These demands were made during a press conference organised by the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB) on the current situation in the country, held at Platinum Grand hotel in Dhaka's Banani.
The business leaders noted that neighbouring countries are spreading misinformation by exaggerating these incidents, further tarnishing the country's image internationally, including among foreign buyers. They warned that if the situation continues, the progress achieved, often at great cost, may be jeopardised.
They stated that for them, there is no distinction between government and opposition parties. The private sector will support whoever is in charge of the government.
In his welcome speech, ICCB President Mahbubur Rahman said, “The country’s student movement has created a memorable event. However, in the last few days, some perpetrators have vandalised numerous business and industrial establishments. We are holding this press conference on behalf of all business organisations.
“Such a situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Failure to stop these miscreants will cause immense damage. We urge the Bangladesh Armed Forces to take immediate steps to restore normalcy and law and order in the country,” Mahbubur Rahman added.
Former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad said, “The interim government will take a few more days to fully begin operations. However, those of us involved in manufacturing and exporting must work continuously.
“In the past few days, various factories across the country have been vandalised, set on fire, and looted. Under these circumstances, we cannot operate our factories. Exports will be hampered if the factories cannot ensure the security of the goods,” AK Azad said.
“We strongly demand the implementation of four key measures in the current situation — restore normalcy and law and order as early as possible, reopen factories, ensure public safety and reactivate police stations,” he said.
AK Azad mentioned that assistance from the army has been sought to restore law and order and provide security to factories. He added that he spoke to the army chief last night to request their cooperation.
Former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) said, “We want Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus as interim government chief. He is a respected figure both nationally and internationally.
"His leadership is expected to facilitate the restoration of the country's image and regain the confidence of foreign buyers. If the economy stabilises, I believe his efforts will be successful," he added.
Transcom Limited Group CEO Simeen Rahman said, “The primary task is to restore the country's normalcy and law and order. This is essential not only for businesses but also for the everyday lives of the people.
"The country is currently facing a tough and volatile situation. In light of this, I urge everyone to promote a positive image of Bangladesh and actively counter any form of propaganda," she added.
There are more than 5,000 factories in the country, most of which are in the readymade garments (RMG) sector. These factories are the powerhouse of Bangladesh’s export earnings.
However, these manufacturing industries have remained closed for the past few weeks, significantly hampering economic growth.
Many factories in Dhaka and Chattogram began operations on Wednesday, albeit on a small scale, due to safety concerns amid the ongoing unrest, vandalism, and arson attacks following Sheikh Hasina's departure from Bangladesh on Monday.
