Keep economy open: FBCCI

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) yesterday called upon the government to increase public awareness on Covid-19 rather than imposing another lockdown in a bid to curb the third wave of infections.

FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin made the call at a press meet at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU).

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

"Another lockdown is not the solution, but rather it increases the misery of low-income people and affects the country's trade and economy," Jashim said.

A lot of export orders are currently coming to Bangladesh and so, economic activities are going on in full swing.

"So if the government gives something like a lockdown, then the economy will suffer in the long run," he added.

The FBCCI chief went on to say that the government needs to raise awareness on how to prevent the spread of Covid-19, such as the use of masks in public spaces.

"We have to learn to live with Covid, which may never go," he said.

"No country in the world is considering fresh lockdowns even in the face of rising infection rates and so, we hope the prime minister won't consider one for Bangladesh either," Jashim added.

Even during the peak of the pandemic back in 2020, a complete lockdown was never enforced as certain production-based companies and essential service providers were allowed to continue operations.

Even during the second phase of the pandemic last year, when industries were closed for a few days, just 10 per cent of the workers were absent.

Jashim stressed the need for extending the range of duty collection across the country to help offset the economic shocks of Covid-19. He also urged the government to reduce inflation by decreasing tariff rates to enhance imports.

The president of the FBCCI urged banks to lend more to small and medium enterprises as well and proposed that they could allocate a certain percentage of their total loans for small businesses.

Jashim then expressed frustration over the low number of skilled workers in industrial sectors.

"A huge number of our educated youths are still unemployed but our garments industry is running with at least 15 per cent worker shortage. So, we need more specialised skilled human resources," he said.

Earlier in his speech, the FBCCI president said the main impediment for foreign investment is a lack of adequate infrastructure.

However, the present government's various development initiatives, such as the Padma bridge, Karnaphuli tunnel, metrorail, and 100 economic zones, have created investment-friendly infrastructure in the country.

He emphasised increasing the capacity of various ministries, including the commerce ministry, to negotiate post-graduation challenges when Bangladesh leaves the club of least developed countries.

Expecting to enhance the capacity of the private sector, the FBCCI is going to set up an innovation centre and enrich its own research capacity.

As such, 18 experts from various fields have been appointed as panel advisors, Jashim told reporters.

DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib were present at the meeting.