The International Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh has stated that it desired an early restoration of peace and order as well as the safety of production units in the wake of allegations of violence and arson attacks on industries in the two days following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

At a news conference in the capital, the trade organisation stated that urgent restoration of law and order was required to get the economy moving again.

The ICCB’s president, Mahbubur Rahman, said the chamber approved the proposal to form an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

‘The student protests have led to a historic achievement. However, miscreants are causing chaos in businesses and industries across the country. We cannot continue in such a situation,’ he said, adding that the violence would cause huge damage to the economy.

‘We need law and order to be restored immediately to protect the worldwide reputation that Bangladesh has established in the ready-made garment sector,’ he further said.

He said that a strong role must be taken to strengthen the economy, including banking sector, and all efforts to earn foreign exchange should be continued and intensified.

Mahbubur emphasised taking necessary measures to bring inflation to a bearable level.

He said that the private sector was the main driving force of the country’s economy, so the government must take special initiatives to develop this sector.

AK Azad, managing director of Ha-Meem Group, stated that the temporary administration will need a few more days to fully operationalise.

Azad, a former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stated that businesses were suffering massive losses since they had to work by the hour.

He stated that the country’s law and order situation needed to be improved quickly. He also emphasised the importance of reopening factories, keeping people safe, and ensuring that police stations and officers were fully operational.

He also stated that they were seeking army support to restore law and order and provide factory security.

‘We have tried to reach the army’s chief of general staff several times, but failed. Through this press conference, we are seeking help from the chief of army staff for the sake of restoring the economy,’ he said.

‘Every day, buyers are asking for updates on their product delivery, but we are unable to tell them anything due to the current situation in the country,’ he added.