Top business leaders from various sectors urged the government on Sunday to appoint a business community administrator to the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry ahead of the election.
They argued that a practitioner with real-world experience would make the apex trade body more effective and representative.
They demanded this during a meeting with commerce minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at the secretariat.
Representatives from the ministries of textiles and jute and industries also attended the meeting.
According to the meeting participants, business leaders highlighted the current state of the FBCCI, stressing that appointing an administrator from the business community was essential to restore dynamism and rebuild members’ confidence.
They also said that a disconnect in policymaking could arise if business realities were not adequately reflected in administrative decisions.
SM Fazlul Haque, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, participated in the meeting.
He said that during the interim government period, the government appointed an administrator to the FBCCI, and after a one-year tenure, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, additional secretary of the ministry, was reappointed to the position.
However, following the sudden demise of commerce secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman, the current administrator had had to take additional responsibilities at the ministry, making it difficult to fully focus on FBCCI affairs.
‘In this context, we proposed appointing a representative from the business community as administrator ahead of the next election,’ he added.
They also placed a number of recommendations to make the FBCCI more effective and business-friendly, he added, saying that the ministry assured them that their proposals would be given due consideration.
At the meeting, commerce minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir stressed the need for transforming the FBCCI into a truly representative, effective and non-political organisation of the country’s business community.
‘FBCCI must play a stronger and more active role in protecting the interests of businessmen and thus effectively placing their demands before the government,’ he added.
He also said that the apex trade body should take a constructive and positive stance, including creating necessary pressure when required, to secure policy support.
He, however, cautioned that the organisation must not be used for any political purposes.
‘We want to see an FBCCI that truly works as a united platform for all businessmen,’ he added, saying that the body would acted as a force supportive to the ministry by providing realistic inputs in policymaking.
He also said that dynamic, results-oriented leadership was essential to make the organisation more effective, adding that leadership should come from within the business community to ensure it can properly safeguard the interests of businesses.
Assuring the business leaders, he said that the government remained committed to creating a business-friendly environment.
‘A new import policy is at its final stage and will be unveiled soon, and separate committees comprising business representatives would be formed to simplify services in the ministries of textiles and jute, industries and commerce,’ he added.
Commerce ministry officials, business leaders from the country’s readymade garments, knitwear, textiles, and automobile sectors, former FBCCI leaders and others were also present at the meeting.
