Discussion Session on “Upcoming National Election: Economic Manifesto of the Political Parties” organized by International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) on Saturday, 14 September 2013 at 1030 am at BRAC Inn Center, Mohakhali, Dhaka.
The country’s business community thinks the political parties should give the highest priority to the national economy in their respective election manifesto to be prepared ahead of the upcoming 10th national parliamentary election. This is because economic development is one of the major preconditions for overall development of a country, where the business community plays a key role in economic development endeavors. If the business community can uninterruptedly continue their respective businesses in a free and fare business friendly environment, it certainly plays a vital role in overall development of that particular country. New business endeavors, keeping the economic wheel on going through investment & industrialization, employment generation, foreign remittances and revenues, foreign investments, import, export etc. are some important elements of free trade and business and private sector development as well, where this business community has an unquestionable contribution. It is very like that the political parties will prepare their election manifestoes and publish them for attracting the voters ahead of upcoming 10thparliamentary national election. The business community of the country expects from the political leaders that political parties will give top most priority to the aforesaid economic development and thus will prepare trade-business-and-economy friendly election manifesto, and thereafter will effectively implement them after the election.
The discussion session, presided over by the IBFB President Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan and moderated by Founding President Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, was also attended by Mr. Nuh-Ul-Alam Lenin, Honorable Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League, Mr. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Advisor to the Chairperson of BNP and Former Commerce Minister, Mr. Fakir Ashraf, Presidium Member of Jatiya Party,Mr. Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, President of FBCCI etc. Prof. Dr. M. Abul Kashem Mozumder,Professor of Public Administration Dept, Jahangirnagar University presented the Keynote Paper.
In the discussion session, IBFB suggested several important recommendations to be incorporated in the election manifesto of respective political parties such as: Improving the Law and Order Situation, Political Stability, Ensure Continuity of Development Initiatives, Good Governance and Corruption free Environment, Strengthening the Local Government, Strengthening the Capacity of the Board of Investment (BOI), High GDP Growth Target, Enhance Capabilities of Chittagong and Mongla Ports, Implementation of Dhaka-Chittagong Four Lane Highway, Energy Reforms, Implementation of Padma Bridge, Enhance Rail and Water Transportation System, Establishing Deep Sea Port, Establishing Skill Development Training (SDT) Centers, Formulation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy, Formulation of Inter-Ministerial Body, Broadening the Tax Base Setting Business Target for Embassy/High-Commission/Consulate Offices, Opening up Business Venture in Africa and Middle-East etc.
Emphasizing on continuity of development programs, IBFB President Hafizur Rahman Khan opined that there are certain agenda which are common to all political parties. We expect consensus form both the ruling and opposition parties at least on these common issues, whoever may form the government after the election.
Mr. Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, the President of FBCCI, in his speech, analyzing different aspects of our continuously developing economy, told that the business community in Bangladesh had to face different hurdles like political instability, destructive political activities. To get rid of this situation he demanded guarantee of a stable and business friendly environment in the country. Reiterating the inclusion of suggestions given by IBFB in the election manifesto of all political parties, he told that the business community will cast their votes in the upcoming election after considering significant economy-friendly elements in the election manifesto of the political parties.
Mr. Fakir Ashraf, Presidium Member of Jatiya Party told that he agrees with the suggestions put forward by IBFB and assured that he will try to include them in the next election manifesto of Jatiya Party. He emphasized on consensus of the political parties on some important issues like political stability, hartal culture and destructive activities by certain quarters. He urged upon IBFB & FBCCI to pursue the political parties for this consensus. He opined that this will ensure growth of business and trade, economic development and will ensure welfare of the common people of Bangladesh.
Mr. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Advisor to the Honorable Chairperson of BNP, in his discussion emphasized on the practice of participatory democracy in the country. He opined that apart from business community, there are certain other stakeholders like cultivators, laborers, consumers etc. and government should ensure the welfare of all all of them by creating an enabling situation for all. He gave importance on good governance, strengthening local governance, development of infrastructure, energy sector, agro based industry and decentralization of decision making authority etc.
Mr. Nuh-Ul-Alam Lenin, Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League, in his speech thanked IBFB for organizing this important session. He assured to present the suggestions in party forum and include the acceptable suggestions in their election manifesto. He termed this discussion session involving political leaders and business community as a new addition to our democratic practice. In the interest of business and economic development, he emphasized on consensus on important issues like hartal, fundamentalism, loan defaulters etc.
Among others, Mr. Suhel Ahmed Chowdhury, Former Commerce Secretary, Prof. Hannana Begum,Director, Board of Directors of Bangladesh Bank, Mr. Iqbal Hussaiyn, Director, IBFB, Mr. Mohammad Ali Deen, Director, IBFB, Mr. Atiar Zaman, Director, IBFB, Ms. Priti Chakraborty, Director, IBFB, Mr. ASM Mainuddin Monem, Member, IBFB, Mr. A. K. Chowdhury, Member, IBFB etc. were also present in the meeting.
