The interim government should ensure sound law and order situation and protect business establishments and businessmen to revive the economy, as Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister and brutal dictator, left the country in derailed conditions, said leaders of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB), Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) while talking to this correspondent.

The last ‘brutal dictator’ and her cohorts plundered millions of dollars out of the country during the last 15 years making ‘corruption’ a culture among a section of civil bureaucrats and creating an unhealthy competition in the society.

However, as the country is going through a transition period, smooth engagement and participation of the existing import and export houses in the country is also important to retain the economy on the right track, said a leader of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry(FBCCI).

Sources in the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) said that City Group (YOTT Oil Refineries Ltd,  Farzana Oil Refineries Ltd and Deepa Food Products Ltd), Meghna Group (United Edible Oils Ltd, Tanveer Oils Ltd) Merin Vegetables Oil Ltd. Nurjahan Vegetable Oil Industries, Jesmin vegetable oil Industries, Jesmin Super Vegetable Oil Industries, T.K. Group(Super Oil Refinery, Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries and Bay Fishing Corporation Ltd),  S. Alam Group(S. Alam Vegetable Oil Ltd, S. Alam Super Oil Vegetable) S.A. Oil Refinery Ltd (Kamal Vegetable Oils Ltd. Shariza  Oil Refinery Ltd, Shamannaz Super Oil Ltd, Elias Brothers, Mostofa Vegetable Oil Industries (M.M. Vegetable Oil Products Ltd.),  Rubaya Vegetable Oil Industries,  Bangladesh Edible Oil Ltd,  Shun Shing Edible Oil Ltd. (Seven Circle Bitumen and Edible Oil Ltd.) and Kazi Edible Oil Industry are major importers of consumer goods like edible oil, sugar, wheat into the country. Though some of the businessmen, engaged in import business of consumer goods, had maintained closed relation with the immediate past Bangladesh Awami League government, the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Bank and commercial banks should engage with the business houses to ensure uninterrupted import of consumers goods in the country, sources in the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission said.

The interruption in the supply chain will increase the price of consumer goods in the country and make a bubble in society, said a BTTB official.

Sources said some members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) had maintained closed relations with the last regime during the last 15 years and are now passing through a sense of insecurity.

The government should ensure uninterrupted production in the export business and ensure safety to establishments as the economy of Bangladesh suffered a lot during the student movement in July and August, said a BGMEA leader.

The government should punish the individuals (if engaged in violation of law and order and money laundering) who violated law and order situation, but not the business houses, opined a FBCCI leader.

President of American Chamber of Commerce and managing director of Expeditors (Bangladesh) Ltd Ershad Ahmed while talking to this correspondent said that ensuring sound law and order situation and protection of business establishments and businessmen are very important to gain momentum in the national economy.

Syed Ershad Ahmed, country manager and managing director of Expeditors (Bangladesh) Ltd, was reelected as the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh for the years 2023-25.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), led by its president Mahbubul Alam, on Thursday  made a courtesy call on Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman at the Army Headquarters in the city.

The business leaders sought support of the Bangladesh Army for ensuring business-friendly environment, keeping operative the production at mills and factories and keeping intact the supply chain, beefing up security at factories and business establishments, and curbing extortion, said a press release.

In this connection, the FBCCI president thanked the Army Chief for conducting various operations and patrolling in the industrial belt and areas by the Bangladesh Army centering the security issue of the industries.

Mahbubul also expressed his interest to work with the army in strengthening security in the industries alongside restoring confidence among the businessmen.

In response, General General Waker-uz-Zaman assured the FBCCI business delegation that they would discharge their duties bestowed upon them properly in ensuring security of the business community and all citizens of the country.

He informed that the Bangladesh Army has always remained vigil so that the local and foreign investors could conduct their operations uninterruptedly side by side ensuring security to the mills and factories, supply chain and ports.

The Army Chief also urged the business community to support the law enforcement agencies through providing information if any industry is subjected to any threat.

Former FBCCI presidents Mahbubur Rahman, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Mir Nasir Hossain, AK Azad, Md Jashim Uddin, Square Pharmaceuticals Limited managing director Tapan Chowdhury, DCCI president Ashraf Ahmed, International Chamber of Commerce , Bangladesh (ICCB) Mahbubur Rahman, BGMEA acting president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam and Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh CEO Naser Ejaj Bijoy were present, among others, on the occasion.