Around 47 second-generation enterprises banded together under the name of ‘The Next Generation Apparel Business Community of Bangladesh,’ reportedly expressing solidarity with the ongoing nine-point demand and appeal for justice for the tragic loss of lives on Saturday.

‘We, as members of the next generation apparel business community of Bangladesh today issue a statement expressing solidarity with the ongoing nine-point demand by the people of Bangladesh,’ they said.

One of the signatories of the statement, Shams Mahmud, managing director of Sasha Denims Ltd said that the second-generation businesses in the apparel sector reached a consensus over expressing solidarity with the ongoing protests of students and the people of Bangladesh.

‘We have issued a statement expressing solidarity with the nine-point demand of people and if the movement becomes a single-point demand, we will continue our support,’ he said.

Shams Mahmud is also the former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

‘As members of the business community we cannot stand silent and watch the sad loss of innocent lives and people’s demands go unheard,’ the statement read.

The owner expressed their concerns for all citizens of the country and affirmed that, as proud members of an independent nation, everyone should be able to exercise their rights peacefully.

They also extended their deepest sympathies and condolences to those who have faced tragic loss of lives and facing harassment saying that all lives matter.

‘We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by recent events and want to see the perpetrators brought to justice through fair investigation,’ the statement said.

Other signatories of the statement include Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Managing Director of Eraf Composite Ltd and Abrar Hossain Sayem, Director of Sayem Fashions Ltd.