The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam Wednesday came down heavily on the business community and said they are taking advantage of present time.

"The image of the business community is not particularly satisfactory. Price maximisation must be tampered with social responsibility," the Adviser said yesterday at the launching ceremony of ICC-B Business Directory in the city.

At this critical juncture of the country they should improve their image, Dr Aziz said. "Please convince your colleagues so that they shun such tendencies," he urged the business leaders. He said business leaders did not play their role respectively.

ICC-B President Mahbubur Rahman presided over the programme, which was spoken by FBCCI President Annisul Huq and BoI Executive Chairman Kamaluddin Ahmed.

Dr Aziz said unavoidable situations had led the government to take actions that had affected the business community's confidence in doing business. "But everyone would agree that there were 'unholy alliances' among the business community," he said.

Given that situation, the government was fully trying to restore an atmosphere conducive doing business, he said.

"That is reflected by our initiatives in forming a Better Business Forum and the Regulatory Reforms Commission," he added. The Finance Adviser stressed that the government was aiming to establish an environment where the full potential of Bangladesh's business community could be realised.

The government was trying to revitalise the economy, he added. "We are improving provisions of infrastructure, which is being seen as the port activities of Chittagong have improved significantly during the present administration."

The Adviser also mentioned further initiatives to set up rental power plants to meet power demands and offshore bidding to explore mineral resources.

He said some people are opposing offshore exploration and coal extraction. What is the logic behind keeping natural resources in the mines, he questioned. FBBCI president Annisul Huq asked the Finance Adviser to take realistic steps to restore the confidence the of business community on the government.

"We are always looking to cooperate with the government, but more should be done to increase our level of confidence," he said.

ICC-B president Mahbubur Rahman said the directory is designed to serve as a handbook for anyone interested in commerce, trade and investment in Bangladesh.

"The directory analyses the latest trends in foreign direct investments (FDI) and incentives provided by the government."

"In addition to that, a brief on different government policies is expected to help investors understand the country's business environment," the ICC-B president said.

Board of Investment Chairman Kamaluddin Ahmed said investment in the country is increasing satisfactorily. He informed that some 383-investment proposals have been registered during January and February of the current year, which is 15 per cent higher than that of the previous year.