The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Law Adviser A F Hassan Ariff urged the businessman to contribute to the country by developing the agricultural sector, as the country is predominantly agricultural.

The adviser also urged the businessmen to pay default loans considering that the money is not only an asset of the bank, but also of the people.

The Law adviser was addressing as chief guest the 2nd Annual General Meeting of International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel in the city yesterday.

Denise Rollins, Charge d' Affaires of US Embassy in Dhaka also addressed the meeting chaired by the IBFB President Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury.

The adviser said the forum is a platform, which is always needed for discussion with government to retain good atmosphere for business in the country.

Adviser Hassan Ariff said the businessmen and banks face hiccup over licencing, revenue and loan collection. The businessmen could help to remove the hiccup by formulating a rational revenue structure to reduce suffering of the businessmen, he added.

There are lack of communication and information between businessmen and the government. The forum can help to minimise the gap and can formulate a policy that would be congenial for the government policy, he further added.

Denise Rollins said, "The government's election preparations, its anti-corruption campaign and its efforts to reform rules and regulations all impact investors. Investment often does not happen in the state of uncertainty. The government needs to adhere to the election roadmap to ensure election by the end of the year."

She said the caretaker government had also tackled corruption. A long-term decline in corruption would give foreign business the confidence to invest in Bangladesh, she added.

Denise Rollins said anti corruption campaigns must be carried out in a fair and transparent manner.

IBFB President Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury urged the government to reduce interest rate of bank loan for non-defaulter businessmen.

He said the idle money of the bank should be kept in flow for the sake of the country's economy.

Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury said IBFB has been founded as a bridge between stakeholders and decision makers with a vision of improving the country's business arena for economic growth, which should be number one issue of the country.

The president demanded more transparency on the anti-corruption related matters to build people's confidence and support for the action.

He said the Anti-Corruption Commission should go for more decentralisation in different regions with some of the authorities not confining to the city.