Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Wednesday urged businessmen to make marginal profit during the month of Ramadan considering people’s sufferings.
The minister advised the common people to cross-check and shop without stepping into the trap of lucrative advertisements.
Munshi said this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organised by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) on the occasion of 'World Consumer Rights Day 2023' at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Agargaon on Wednesday.
Taking into account the suffering of the people, the Commerce Minister asked the businessmen, "There are various discount systems in different countries of the world during various festivals. They make little (profit).”
“In Bangladesh the situation is different, the holy month of Ramadan is ahead. Be a bit more moderate. Keep prices reasonable in this month, less profit margin less,” he added.
The minister also said: “Consumer rights are human rights. When we can inform consumers about all their rights, half of our work will be done. Consumer awareness is very important.”
The government is working on this, he said.
Munshi urged people not to buy products in a rush during Ramadan. “Once you buy a product a plenty, it affects the market, and then the traders take it as an opportunity to hike price abnormally.”
The President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh Golam Rahman in his speech called for strengthening the government's steps to reduce the unequal competition in the market as well as the necessary reform of the legal framework and to be proactive in its implementation.
Senior commerce secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, FBCCI vice president Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, DG of DNCRP AHM Shafiquzzaman, TCB Chairman Ariful Hasan, First Director General of Consumer Affairs, Department Abul Hossain Mia, Competition Commission Chairperson Pradeep Ranjan Chakraborty, among others, were present at the function.
Munshi also distributed prizes among the winners of the Essay Competition organised on National Consumer Rights Day.
