The country’s business community on Saturday welcomed the Prime Minister’s (PM’s) initiative to form an all-party government during the upcoming general election, saying that the offer would open up an avenue for holding a dialogue between the two conflicting political groups in the country. The PM on Monday had urged the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to nominate its MPs for inclusion in the interim cabinet.
Terming the PM’s proposal as positive, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed said the proposal has opened up an avenue for holding a dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition party to resolve the present political dispute over election procedures. “If the opposition party holds talks with the ruling party following the PM’s proposal, the business community and the people in general will feel relieved,” he added.
Kazi Akram also said, “We are businessmen, not politicians. Our main task is to strengthen the country’s economy by doing business effectively and efficiently. I believe the opposition party will accept the PM’s proposal to start the trend of healthy politics in the country.”
“It is the duty of politicians to ensure a business-friendly environment across the country through a sound political environment,” he said, adding that politicians should not create any scope for the business community to talk about the solution to political crises.
“It’s not that the proposal has solved all political disputes. But it’s a positive sign and also created scope for fresh talks between the two major political parties,” said Mir Nasir Hossain, a former president of the FBCCI.
“I hope that the present political stalemate over the next general election will come to an end through dialogue between the two major political parties,” he added.
M Sabur Khan, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said, “Definitely, the proposal is a good thing to remove the ongoing political crisis.”
“If the opposition accepts the PM’s proposal, a good solution to remove the present political stalemate will become apparent,” Khan observed.
“Dialogue between the two leaders is essential to find a solution to the present
political crisis for the sake of national economy and the general people,” said Asif Ibrahim, a former DCCI president.
Ibrahim told The Independent that the Prime Minister, in her proposal, had given an indication of understanding.
“We all should welcome the Prime Minister’s proposal,” he said.
Politicians should shun the path of vengeance, he added. “If the two leaders show generosity, most of the current political disputes would be solved,” Asif observed.
-With The Independent input
