With the general election in Bangladesh just round the corner, businesses in the country have expressed desire that election manifestoes of the political parties should spell out measures to ensure stability and atmosphere suitable for trade and commerce in the country.
It may be mentioned here that as per media reports, business leaders of Bangladesh representing various organisations, including Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc, reportedly maintained that they would like to see the political parties pledge to provide uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity while underlining that improvement of infrastructure should get special preference in the manifestoes for the general election scheduled for December 30.
Mohammed Nasir, the BGMEA Vice-President reportedly said that they expected continuation of the ‘present business-friendly’ atmosphere while laying emphasis on infrastructure improvement. Citing example of the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway, Nasir reportedly underlined that the highway failed to give much needed dividend due to delay in upgrading to eight-lane.
The first Vice-President of BKMEA Mansoor Ahmed on his part reportedly maintained that political parties should realise that cost of doing business went up following rise in wages of workers, keeping in mind which, businesses should be given more incentive to offset the pressure.
It may be mentioned here that ruling Awami League and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party are expected to announce their election manifestoes soon.
