The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders of the export oriented business bodies yesterday said the absence of a political government and a sense of uncertainty about political future are hampering the country's export business.

They said this after a closed-door meeting at the office of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The meeting held as part of the exporters move to line up 26 business bodies, representing the respective export sectors, under a common umbrella aiming at facing the issues of their common concern jointly. Anwarul Azam Chowdhury, President of the host organisation BGMEA, chaired the meeting.

The exporters in the meeting were highly critical of the government as well as of its bureaucracy who, they said, have a negative mindset about businessmen, insiders said.

"Political stability is the number one condition for export growth. Importers across the world do not repose faith on a country that is not led by a democratic government," Anwarul Azam said at a press briefing following the meeting.

"At present, we have to interact with the bureaucrats, who have a particular mindset. But changes are taking place in the world everyday. Now they cannot give any decision, let alone direction for progress," he added while replying to a question.

The business leader narrated several events of complexities created by the bureaucrats before the journalists and urged the government to remove the tangles that is barring business. He also stressed removal of disparity in government supports to local businessmen and foreigners.

The Government is giving special facilities to the foreign firms in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs). Expressway has been established to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the EPZs. Whereas, local exporters are not getting the same facilities, Anwarul Azam lamented.

He said the government cannot give any quick decision when the exporters are facing acute competition in the international market. Global recession has turned the situation worse.

He requested the government to provide necessary support so that the exporters can go on with their business smoothly.

Explaining the cause of building a common platform of export oriented business organisations, despite existence of apex business body FBCCI, Anwarul Azam said, exporters have some common issues, which are not related to local business. It will be easier and more effective to address the issues of common interest by the forum, representing all the export sectors.

Some 26 organisations were invited in the meeting. However, presidents or the top leaders of 16 business organisations were represented.

Business leaders Fazlul Hoque, Tipu Sultan, Shafiullah Chowdhury, Abu Alam Chowdhury, Major (Retd) Ekram Uddin Siddique, Md Shafiqur Rahman, SM Jahangir Hossain, Golam Ahsan, Anwar hossain, Lt Co (Retd) M Anisuzzaman, Saiful Islam, Alauddin Ahmed and SM Shafiuzzaman were present.

The business leaders will talk to other organisations and will hold another meeting within two weeks to shape the new federal body of the organisations.