Although Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food, food inflation is the highest. One of the reasons for this is the collection of fees in different ways in the case of the transportation of goods. If the charges for transportation of goods are stopped, the price of goods will come down a lot. The cooperation of the Home Minister is needed to stop extortion in the transportation of goods.
A delegation led by Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) made these remarks during a courtesy call on Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
BCI leaders met the Home Minister at the Secretariat on Sunday (February 18).
The business leaders also said that if inflation is at a tolerable level, Bangladesh Bank will not have to adopt the contractionary policy. Currently, due to the various steps taken by Bangladesh Bank, the dollar current account has become positive, which is promising, and the financial account will also become positive in the next few months.
BCI President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) said that the industrial sector of the country is currently passing through a challenging time. Any industrial company in the country is running at 60–70 percent of its capacity; sales of all companies have dropped due to high inflation, low gas pressure, and a high interest rate on loans, and banks are not able to provide proper support. All in all, the domestic industry is facing tough challenges.
He said we recently sat down with the governor of Bangladesh Bank to learn about the policy of Bangladesh Bank regarding all these problems in the country. Bangladesh Bank’s main target now is to bring inflation to 6 percent. Bangladesh Bank is using smart technology to keep the interest rate on bank loans at a reasonable level. Banks are encouraged to invest in bonds due to some policies of the Bangladesh Bank. As a result, there will be a liquidity crisis at the bank. New investment will not come in, and the unemployment rate will rise. It is very important to keep our current industries alive.
He also said that at present, some unruly groups called Kishar gangs are deteriorating the law and order situation in the country. Most of the crimes in Dhaka are organized by them. I draw your attention in this regard. I draw your kind attention to the traffic management of Dhaka city and the entire country. Discipline in the traffic system will actually reduce time and cost and also save fuel. On the part of BCI, ATM booths are increasing in industrial areas, including Gazipur, while the kindly attention of the Minister is drawn.
After hearing the statement of BCI directors, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that we are aware of the state of industries in the country. We want to increase investment in the country and increase employment. Because if the country’s industry survives, the country’s economy will too. We are working in coordination with various ministries to control the product market in the country. We are working to stop extortion during product delivery; it will no longer exist. We are determined to stop all types of crime, and the Ministry of Home Affairs is working towards that goal. We are working to ensure that the people of the country can live safely and peacefully.
In the meeting, senior vice president of BCI Preeti Chakraborty, vice president Mohammad Yunus, board of directors Shahidul Islam Neeru, Dr. Delwar Hossain Raja, Abul Kalam Bhuiyan, Zia Haider Mithu, Mizanur Rahman, Ruslan Nasir, Nazmul Anwar, Sohana Rauf Chowdhury, Md Salim Jahan, and Additional Secretary (Political and ICT Division) AKM Tipu Sultan of the Ministry of Home Affairs were present.
