The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) wishes to draw the attention of the government that there will be only sixteen working days in the month of December 2008 owing to many closed days including Eidul Azha, Victory Day, national elections and Christmas holidays besides regular weekly holidays.

December being the last month of the calendar year there will be lots of activities in banks, insurance companies and business houses including international business transactions.

The DCCI calls upon the government to take into account the amount of work involved in the year ending.

The publication of annual reports of companies including the yearly audits and accounts are huge tasks that put extra pressure on the concerned departments and the staff. While the closing documents take time' to be prepared and streamlined I normal business activities needs to be continued as well. This compounds the pressure on the entire company mechanism. Especially the manufacturing and export units have to maintain chain of production and shipment to meet deadlines.

Moreover the annual tax returns are also a concern that demands alternation of the business organizations.

The DCCI observes that two day weekly holiday has already taken a toll on the economy of the country.

Besides, the government may take note of the prevailing world economic melt down that started at the beginning of this year. The US economy has been badly hit due to huge financial crisis.

The impact has been felt worldwide. Banglades~ cannot expect to remain outside the influence of the global economic recession. Under these severe economic uncertainties we cannot afford to lose time in making up the losses we have already incurred.

In the absence of state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled manpower we are already under tremendous pressure in meeting our business requirements in terms of manufacturing, export and import.

The DCCI therefore calls upon the government to immediately consider declaring Saturdays open for the month of December 2008 only to allow all public and private organizations carry out their routine work and avoid losses that may result due to lesser number of working days. This should be done for the greater interest of the country's economy and welfare of the business sector.