DHAKA, July 22, 2024 (BSS) - Leading businessmen of the country have stood beside the government against the atrocities carrying out by the BNP-Jamaat alliance pinning upon the student's quota reform movement, saying that they all are with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to pull Bangladesh forward.

They said that from the country's Teknaf to Tentulia three crore of businessmen are with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina like in the past and will beside her towards building a developed and Smart Bangladesh.

The top businessmen and leaders of different apex trade bodies gave this assurance to the Prime Minister during a view-exchange meeting at the Prime Minister's Office here this afternoon.

Mahbubul Alam, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade body of the country, said, "Over three crore businessmen, from the country's Teknaf to Tentulia, were beside you -- the Prime Minister -- in the past, we are with you now and we will stay beside you in the future, too". 

Sheikh Hasina, he said, has turned Bangladesh into an economy of US$ 400 billion GDP from the only US$ 70 billion GDP during her tenure. "You didn't feel hesitate to meet the demand of businessmen never, rather you always tell us that government doesn't do business but facilitate the businessmen and you have done it for us." 

About the countrywide mayhem of BNP-Jamaat, the FBCCI President said that the defeated forces of 1971 didn't feel good seeing the development like the metro rail, Bangabandhu tunnel, the Padma Bridge, BTV and other infrastructures. "They want to make Bangladesh a failed and ineffective state," he added.

He said, "We think that if you, the Prime Minister, is survived, we also survive. The country's entire business community will beside you till you are alive."

Mentioning that Bangladesh moves forward when the country is in the hand of Sheikh Hasina, he said, "We will build a Smart Bangladesh under your leadership, Smart Government, and Bangladesh will run under your leadership." 

In the call of the FBCCI President, all the businessmen and leaders of the apex trade bodies raised their hands said that they are with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He added, "Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla will be built under your (Sheikh Hasina) leadership and we don't want to see any other leader in this journey."

He urged the Prime Minister to bring the anarchists under legal process and ensure due punishment for their havoc and atrocities. 

Mentioning that the Prime Minister has stood beside the businessmen during different tough times like Covid-19 pandemic, BGMEA President SM Mannan Kochi said that they are with her during this time when BNP-Jamaat clique again conducted havoc and atrocities taking the student quota reform movement as shield to destroy the resources of the country as well as killing Bangabanhdu's daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"We will stay beside you (Sheikh Hasina) in exchange of life as you love the country and nation and that's why Bangladesh became a developing country," he added.

The BGMEA President said that they are beside the Prime Minister and will stay beside her in future. 

Bankers Association of Bangladesh (BAB) President Nazrul Islam Majumdar described the havoc and atrocities as shameful and woeful for the country as it's an organized crime.

"BAB was with you (the Prime Minister), we are with you and will beside you in future," he said, adding, "We will materialize all of your initiatives." 

Shop Owners's Association President Helal Uddin again kept their trust on the Prime Minister, hoping that she will bring back appropriate environment for the traders as soon as possible as she is a "crisis master".

"Except the Prime Minister, there is none in the country who can move the wheels of economy ahead," he added.

Helal Uddin said that they believe Bangladesh will not stay good if Sheikh Hasina is no more in the country. He also echoed with others to stay beside Sheikh Hasina now and in future like in the past. 

BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatem said that they didn't expect such a situation in the country when the business across the world is passing through a tough situation. 

He said that they expected the government will find out the people who carried out this havoc and atrocities and bring them under legal procedure.

The BKMEA Executive President like others also said that the business communities are beside the government and will stay in future.
 

He, however, requested the Premier to take immediate measure to open their factories. 

 
Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh President Syed Nasim Manzoor urged the Premier to bring the anarchists under legal procedure and ensure punishment. 

Basundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said that had the government ensured punitive measure to BNP-Jamaat anarchists in the past, now they wouldn't have dare to get the courage to carry out this havoc and atrocity.

Laying emphasis on wiping out terrorists, he urged all to be united against it otherwise "We will not survive as businessmen". 

The Basundhara Group Chairman urged the businessmen to have patience, saying that "She (Sheikh Hasina) will lead us and InshaAllah, no force will do harm to us."

"We have trust and confidence in the leadership (of Sheikh Hasina)," he added. 

Pran-RFL Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury also spoke. PM's Adviser Salman F Rahman moderated the view-exchange meeting.