Omar Hajjaj completed his graduation in Communication and Mass Media Studies from Sunway University, Malaysia and took over his father's business at a young age.
At the age of 25, he was elected (for the term 2017-19) as the director of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). Then he became the senior vice president of CCCI in the 2019-21 term.
This time, at the age of 31, he was elected unopposed as the president of the organisation (for the term 2023-25).
After taking charge, the young business leader wants to increase investment in the country and brand Bangladesh to the world. He is the owner of Reliance International, Managing Partner of GD Harbor Services and Globe Engineering, Reliance Assets and Developments (BD) Ltd., Reliance Shipyard Ltd. and Director of Chattogram Abahani Limited.
How does it feel to be elected president of this traditional trade organisation?
I didn't expect it. But our directors trusted me and made me president. I express my gratitude to them. It is a huge responsibility. I have worked with Chattogram Chamber before. It is an immense duty to the business community. I would like to work for my community as a businessman. Before being a director, I wanted to do a lot of things, but now there is a huge opportunity to exercise those things.
What do you want to do for your community when you take on the new responsibilities?
My objectives are--to highlight the possibilities of Chattogram as a businessman, and how to motivate the businessmen, to be more investment friendly, to be more aggressive. Our Chattogram is historically a very commercial and industrialised zone in the world. I will sit with all the existing businessmen who are currently there and all the associations who are working with us.
I will hold a direct dialogue with them on what are the problems they are facing politically. It is very much an ongoing process and I am looking forward to proving that.
What obstacles do you see for business in Chattogram now?
I am from a business family. I have seen from my childhood what problems they faced. But in the last 10-15 years, those problems have reduced to a great extent. For this, I would like to thank the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina but that does not mean that all problems are solved. Many problems remain. If I go to mention the problems of Chattogram, the first thing that comes up is the weigh scale located at Sitakunda on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
It is a barrier for the traders of Chattogram. No other city or division has it. Traders have to transport goods at a higher cost in Chattogram. Secondly, the alarming problem is waterlogging.
But the government is working on it. So I don't want to criticize the issue too much. Besides, it is a big problem that Dhaka becomes central. Businessmen of Chattogram have to go to Dhaka if they want to do anything different. Every government and private company’s headquarters are in Dhaka, so everything has to run to the capital city.
Chattogram is a unique area surrounded by natural beauty. How can this impact on the tourism industry and how can CCCI play a role?
There is no other place in the country surrounded by natural beauty like Chattogram. Here mountains, rivers, and seas are all together. Chattogram was once called the Queen of the East. The tourism industry has a lot of potential here. But we haven't been able to use it properly yet. There is scope for extensive work from both the public and private sector.
Do you think a commodity exchange should be established in Chattogram?
Definitely. We notice that the largest players in terms of commodities are from Chattogram. But huge trades are from Chattogram. Besides, they are not only importers of Chattogram, they import for the whole country. As a result, commodity exchange here will be facilitated for them it will also be convenient for the government to monitor.
Is it necessary to set up a foreign trade institute in Chattogram?
You mention a good point. In the last few years, there has been massive investment in infrastructure in Chattogram. To raise this investment, a lot of investment from within and outside the country is required. The largest industrial city in the country is located in Chattogram. The procession is ongoing for establishing Japanese EPZ and deep sea ports. Chattogram is a perfect place where foreigners will come and invest. The foreign trade institute here is beneficial for everyone.
There is a lot of industrialisation and investment in Chattogram. Compared to that, is Chattogram's communication system good enough?
As it stands now it is not up to the mark i.e. it is not of international standard. But we are moving in the right direction. The extent of Dhaka-Chattogram and Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highways should be increased quickly and Chattogram airport should also be of international standard, its collaboration should be increased.
Are you satisfied with the capacity of Chattogram Port?
Chattogram Port is working beyond its capacity. Besides, the work of Bay-Terminal is in the offing. We want it to be done quickly. Once the Bay-Terminal and Matarbari deep sea ports become operational, business activity will increase exponentially which we still cannot imagine.
Should authorities concerned establish a specialized High Court division dedicated to handling trade-related cases?
Of course. If anything happens like that, it would be a very visionary decision. Many times, real traders fall into this. If due to any reason they fall into business loss they should be given a chance. People will lose employment if they stop business operations due to lawsuits. And if he does not turn around, the country will lose. However, those traders who want to launder money or default should be brought under punishment.
Is it necessary to empower the consulates of those countries in Chattogram to make it easier to get visas for Bangladesh's trading partner countries?
You will be happy to know that CCCI has established a Japanese desk at Chattogram World Trade Center on its initiative. We are trying to open Indian Dex here. There are many Chinese investors here; we want the interest of Chinese, German, and Italian companies. I would like to make a hub within the World Trade Center to facilitate everyone. They should come to their people and tell the problems.
Is there any plan to increase foreign investment in Chattogram?
The government has invested a lot in the infrastructure of Chattogram in the last decade. There are new industrial cities, tunnels, and deep sea ports, tourism industry has great potential. In general, we have to do marketing among foreigners by making all in one package. That is, Bangladesh has to be branded in the world.
What is your plan with CCCI?
We will hold several dialogues with all the business associations we have. Steps will be taken to transform the Chattogram World Trade Center into a full-fledged business hub. We will try to return those who have already left Chattogram and went to Dhaka. Simultaneously, we will ensure the safeguarding of existing businesses in Chattogram.
