Wednesday 11 December 2013

Early talks could avert losses

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed said that widespread violence, loss of lives and harm to the economy could have been averted had they heeded its appeal for initiation of talks.

"But they didn't pay heed to us but responded to the foreigners' call," he said at a media conference on Wednesday in Dhaka.

He said they had been ignored "because we cannot give threats. We can only point out the harm caused to the economy".

The reaction came a day after leaders of the rival alliances agreed to sit for talks at the mediation of UN's Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco.

Wednesday's briefing was to inform the media of FBCCI's Dec 15 human chain programme demanding a solution to the political impasse ahead of the general elections through a dialogue.

Top businesspersons had met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia twice in last October and November to press for a secretaries general-level talks.

However, the top business body's repeated calls to shun violence and reach an understanding went unheeded.

"Many lives would not have been lost and the country's economy would not have been destroyed had they responded to our calls," said the FBCCI chief in apparent frustration.

In a media statement last month, the FBCCI had expressed serious concerns over the political unrest.

"The country is headed for an economic disaster unless this politics of destruction is stopped," it had said.

It had urged the political leaders to consider the larger context of the economy and give up violent agitation.

FBCCI chief Kazi Akram said the businessmen would form human chains, sporting white flags, from 11:30am to 12pm on Dec 15 in front of their respective businesses and the main streets across Bangladesh.

The programme will also be in protest against the ongoing political violence, shutdowns, blockade programmes, and to demand a trade-friendly environment.

A stage would be set up in front of the Federation's building at Dhaka's Motijheel from where top business leaders would address the gathering.

"The hoisting of white flags is a sign of surrendering.

"We'll hoist white flags to tell that we are surrendering to violence," said the FBCCI President.

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