The New Nation - Internet Edition

OUR CORRESPONDENT, Sylhet

British-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, a forum of Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK, stressed the need for immediate steps to develop a special economic zone in Sylhet and stop harassment of expatriates back home.

'We think immediate steps should be taken to implement the proposed SEZ in Sylhet and protect non-resident Bangladeshis from harassments by various authorities so that they feel encouraged to invest in home,' said Shahgir Bakth Faruq, the chamber president.

A delegation of the chamber on Sunday exchanged views with local authorities, businesspeople and people's representatives at the divisional commissioner's conference room, and reaffirmed their interest in investing in productive and service sectors if a hassle-free investment climate is ensured especially for NRBs.

Shahgir led the delegation which also includes the chamber's London branch president Muhib Ali, BBCC vice-president Saad Gazi, former mayor of Tower Hamlet Saiful Alam and other leaders Mobarak Ali and Ranjana Chowdhury addressed the programme.

Divisional Commissioner in Sylhet Zafar Ahmed Khan chaired the function, where DIG police Abul Kashem Sazzadul Hasan, and deputy commissioners of Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj districts, Sylhet Osmani Airport manager Hafiz Ahmed, former president of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry Faruq Ahmed Misbah, and senior vice-president Nasim Hossain, among others, also spoke.

The divisional commissioner said the government is sincere about ensuring welfare of the expatriate Bangladeshis.

He urged the NRBs to take part actively in implementation of the proposed special economic zone as expatriates had nearly Tk 7,000 crore as deposits with different banks in the division.

'The government is working for creating an investment-friendly environment in the country to encourage the expatriates to invest in productive sectors here,' the divisional commissioner said.

The BBCC delegation also met Sylhet mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran at his office on Sunday.

The mayor requested the expatriate business leaders to extend their support to boost the small cottage industries of clothes and handicrafts, which are common in the region which is home to various ethnic minority communities.