The Businesses welcome and commend the bold steps initiated by the Caretaker Government under your leadership for tackling corruption, reconstitution of the Election Commission for making necessary preparation for holding a free, fair and credible election and creating an enabling environment for business and restoring the business climate in order to ensure continuity of growth momentum. We would like to congratulate you for reconstitution of the much talked about Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and for the steps so far taken for separation of judiciary from Executive branch of Administration. We urge upon you to reconstitute and undertake necessary reforms in the Public Service Commission (PSC). We also welcome the move of the Government against land grabbers and urge to continue the drive.

The Bangladeshi businesses have always stressed the need for confidence building measures and would, therefore, extend all out cooperation to the Government in its streamlining civil bureaucracy to build a prosperous Bangladesh.

For your ready reference, we may point out the following issues for your kind attention:

Anticorruption Drive

Governments recent drive for tackling corruption would definitely help in confidence building within the country as well as to outside world. We urge the government to continue with the drive but at the same time ensure not to harass innocent people. We also urge that government to make public only those names against whom there are specific charges.

Exit Route to Business Community

Without some kind of monetary involvement, it had become entirely infeasible to pursue completely legitimate business or even personal activities. We strongly believe and agree with the move of the government to punish those politicians who have utilized public offices for personal gain as this will send out a signal to the rank & file to deter recurrence of such development in the future. Similar action should also be taken for their cronies.

At the same time, tax evasion by the business may also be dealt with seriously and it can be addressed thru payment of Income Tax at regular slab plus heavy penalty to deter future recurrence. This, however, must be strictly time bound.

Price of Essential Commodities & Anti-hoarding Policy

Continuous price hike of essential commodities including agricultural produce, has been causing economic hardship for all people, in particular, the poor and the middle income group.

The Government decision of waiving duties on rice and wheat import will definitely help in reducing price in the local market. In this regard, the Business leaders reiterated their suggestion for duty free import of some other essential commodities for stabilising the market price. It was mentioned that similar measures taken in India and Pakistan have been found to be effective for market price stabilisation.

We welcome the move by Bangladesh Bank for the commercial banks to reduce the L/C margin and to encourage small importers side by side with the large importers to import essential food and other commodities by providing them necessary support to meet the demand of the market.

Storage of Essential Commodities

The policy of storage of goods should not be equated with hoarding and normal business and storage should not be disturbed and impeded in the name of hoarding in order to maintain the supply chain to the retail outlets. The recent steps initiated by the Government for setting up an anti-hoarding policy at various supply chain is welcome. However, such a policy should take into consideration ground realities and developed in consultation with a team of experts to be drawn from the concerned trade bodies.

Port Operation

The performance of Chittagong Port improved significantly after a number of positive measures taken recently by the Government including move for accelerating container handling and reducing cost. All required equipment and its for unhindered operation should also be ensured for confidence building. The process of purchasing container scanners for expediting customs checking is definitely a welcome move and Green Channel system in customs may also be introduced.

Corporatization of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) may be undertaken to pave the way for investment in infrastructure development through capital market. Besides, private sector should be encouraged in the operation and management for greater efficiency.

In addition, projects for development of related infrastructure including development of road – rail link between Dhaka & Chittagong, a separate track for container movement should be looked into. The development of these and deep sea port as well as other inland ports, riverine container terminal and other allied facilities can be facilitated by involving private investors on BOT/BOO basis, as the case may be.

For smooth and efficient operation of Ports it is necessary to rationalize operation of trade unions and computerization of terminal activities to reduce human interferences and increase efficiency.

Further consolidation of steps for improving the port management and development of long-term policy is of utmost importance for a sustainable and efficient operation of air, sea and land ports of the country.

Power Sector Development

The prolonged power crisis could cripple the economy unless we do something about it now. We appreciate full cooperation of our business establishments in saving electricity for domestic and industrial use by limiting their operation up to 7 pm. However, immediate steps should be taken to enhance supply of power by at least 3000 megawatts to meet the growing demands.

Demolition drive and evicting small traders

We appreciate the steps taken by the City Corporation, RAJUK and other concerned in demolition of structures which have been constructed illegally. But at the same time such actions are slowing down business activities of small traders who have taken possession of shops from the owners on payment. Such a situation has forced a number of small traders to close down the business. Similarly, eviction of hawkers, slum dwellers and small traders in different kutcha bazaars will add to their miseries. These groups of petty traders have no other means of earnings.

Instead of demolishing structures/buildings which are unauthorized it would be better to give a required time limit for getting an approval from RAJUK. Warning could be issued to the owner of buildings being commercially used without proper commercial license and a time limit allowed to regularize them by paying due fees. Rajuk should be instructed to expedite the entire process, upon receipt of the due fees.

As regards, hawkers, slum dwellers and petty traders in kwacha bazaars alternative arrangements should be made so that they could continue with their livelihood and refrain from taking part in unwanted activities.

Proposed ACC amendment Act

In the amendment of ACC Act, it has been proposed that ACC has been given the power to arrest suspects and freeze Assets which is also made non-bailable; without Courts order. We are afraid; this provision of law in every likely-hood may turn into a tool for harassment of any person and may be counterproductive. Currently section 21 of the ACC Act states that an ACC assigned official needs the courts permission to arrest a person suspected of holding moveable property in their name or others that is not compatible with their declared sources of income. Therefore, such a drastic change in the existing law may kindly be reviewed. However, should the Government feel such provision may be there during the period of emergency and too must be exercise with the approval of all members of the Commission.

Autonomy of Radio and Television

The political parties have been committing as election pledge to give full autonomy to government owned radio and television. But this has never happened. Therefore, we welcome the move by your Government to give full autonomy to these electronic media.

Public procurement

It is reported that implementation of procurement guidelines is far from satisfactory, due to plotical interference, poor advertisement, short bidding periods, poor specifications, nondisclosure of selection criteria, contract awards by lottery, one-sided contract documents, negotiations with all bidders, and re-bidding without adequate grounds. Procurement delays increase costs, defer benefits, deter good firms from bidding and are often indicative of corrupt interference. Therefore, a transparent and efficient procurement system should be in place without any further delay.

Strengthening of Local Government

The country, even 36 years after independence is still undecided about the appropriate and efficient local government system. Therefore, this needs to be addressed adequately before next election of the local government institutions. The local government body should be responsible for the development works at local level without any kind of involvement of MPs which breeds corruption.