Turned helpless due to continuous violence coupled with hartals and blockades, the business community takes to the streets across the country with white flags on Sunday for half an hour calling upon the political parties to restore peace and stability for the sake of economy, reports UNB. They will line up on the streets in front of all district chambers and associations, shop owners’ association and business houses, including in front of the FBCCI from 11:30 am to 12 noon, carrying white flags in support of their demand for an end to the ongoing instability and ensure a business-friendly environment and protesting the destruction of business establishments. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the country’s apex trade body, will stage the protest programme as the ongoing political violence is ruining the economy. FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed on Saturday urged the businesspeople across the country to join the programme, according to a media release. The FBCCI hoped that people from all walks of life will join hands with the businesspeople spontaneously protesting the violence, hartals and blockades. Meanwhile, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) M Atiqul Islam said the BGMEA, BKMEA (Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association), BTMA (Bangladesh Textile Mills Association) and other chambers and association leaders will march together towards the FBCCI Bhaban from the BGMEA Complex at 10:30am. On December 2, the country’s top business leaders met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and urged her to take effective steps to defuse political violence. Later, the business leaders went to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office with a memorandum requesting her to take steps for finding out a solution to the current crisis. As Khaleda was not available in the office, her adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed received the memorandum. Earlier, the BGMEA leaders in an emergency meeting decided to meet the two top leaders to request them for reaching a solution to end the current political violence.
-With UNB/The News Today input
