The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) held a Discussion Session on its recent research findings on “Public Service Delivery and the Business Environment” 11th May, 2009 at the Westin Hotel, Dhaka.
Maj. Gen (Retd.) Abdus Salam, MP, Hon’ble Chairman, Standing Committee for Home Affairs was the Guest of Honour, along with Maj. Gen (Retd.) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, MP, Hon’ble Chairman, Standing Committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. Prof. Muzaffer Ahmad, Chairman, Transparency International-Bangladesh (TIB) and Mr. A.S.M. Shahjahan, former Advisor to the Caretaker Government and former Inspector General of Police were also present as the distinguished discussants. Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, President, IBFB and former Mayor, Chittagong City Corporation, chaired the session.
Both Guests recognized the important role of the private sector in Bangladesh and also the Government’s commitment to economic growth. Maj. Gen (Retd.) Abdus Salam, MP told that Law enforcement has an impact on the private sector. Maj. Gen (Retd.) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, MP said that addressing the issues that were being presented today was critical to promoting sound economic growth. They said that corruption is a problem that continues to affect Bangladesh and it is one that the current Government is seeking to address. They also said that the Parliamentary Standing Committees have an important role in this process of reviewing policies, conducting oversight of Government performance, and reaching out to the private sector, civil society and other interested parties to collect information and hear about important issues.
In his opening speech, Mr. Chowdhury, President of IBFB spoke about IBFB and what it does, and explained how the research was conducted. According to the study, the most problematic sectors as opined by the businesses included the Power Sector and the Law Enforcement Agencies. He further reiterated that the research was conducted in an unbiased and neutral manner. The results of the study were then presented by Dr. Omar Shafayat Kauser, Director, IBFB.
As a distinguished discussant Prof. Muzaffer Ahmad, also spoke on the occasion. Prof. Ahmed highlighted the way to over come corruption in public service sectors. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the public agencies. During the Question and Answer session, several Members of Parliament and Business Leaders raised some important points about improving the service delivery.
Others present included Mr. ATM Saidul Alam, Vice President, IBFB, Mr. Tanveer Imam, Vice President(Finance), IBFB and Mr. Jon Danilowicz, Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs, Embassy of the United States.
