BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman has assured business leaders that if the party returns to power, it will prioritise restoring law and order, resolving the energy crisis, reducing interest rates, strengthening the capital market, and developing a private sector-led economy through sector-specific planning.
He added that if an opportunity arises to defer LDC graduation under a BNP government, the party will actively pursue it. Tarique made the remarks during a meeting with 30 business representatives from various sectors at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan this evening (4 January).
After the meeting, business leaders told TBS that nearly every sector outlined its specific challenges. Tarique told them that he had conducted studies on different sectors during his time in London and assured that policy decisions would be based on ongoing consultations with the business community.
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Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), told TBS that their primary purpose had been to convey condolences over the passing of Khaleda Zia.
“We had planned to read the message aloud and hand it to Tarique Rahman before leaving, but he wanted to know about the current situation across all sectors,” Parvez said. He added that Tarique assured them that, if BNP forms the government, the party would take initiatives to resolve these issues.
Security, interest rates, capital market
Parvez said business leaders discussed measures to curb the prevailing mob culture, reduce bank interest rates, and build a strong capital market to lessen the private sector’s reliance on bank loans. “Nearly all sectors stressed the urgency of resolving the energy crisis,” he added.
The discussion also covered opportunities for employment growth, including which sectors could create more jobs and what policy incentives would be needed.
Export growth and skill development were highlighted, with business leaders noting a shortage of skilled workers, prompting talks on introducing professional courses at universities.
“Tarique Rahman stressed resolving the energy crisis and reviving the capital market. He expressed a desire to hold separate discussions with each sector to develop sector-specific plans in consultation with business representatives,” Parvez said.
On LDC graduation deferral, Parvez added, “Tarique said he is not currently in favour of deferring graduation, but if BNP comes to power and an opportunity arises, the party will try to do so.”
Mir Nasir Hossain, former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), told TBS that Tarique highlighted employment creation as Bangladesh’s most pressing need.
“If BNP forms the government, it will provide all necessary support to encourage business investment. The party plans to reduce government control over the economy,” he said, citing Tarique.
Nasir added that Tarique stressed that while the government would take initiatives to solve business problems, business leaders must also cooperate.
‘Tarique’s groundwork on every sector’
Fazle Shamim Ehsan, president of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, said Tarique had already conducted thorough groundwork on every sector.
He added that business leaders emphasised eliminating corruption and improving law and order, to which Tarique responded that the necessary systems would be developed under a BNP government.
Tarique also assured that BNP would continue the policy initiated under Ziaur Rahman to build a private sector-led economy, providing policy support to stimulate employment.
Md Fazlul Haque, former president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told TBS that business leaders raised concerns about declining investment.
Tarique outlined plans to reduce interest rates, cut bureaucratic red tape, improve law and order, curb corruption through technology, and address the energy crisis, which will remain a top priority.
Businesses satisfied with BNP’s policy framework
The meeting, which began around 7pm, was attended by BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, according to BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir.
After the meeting, Amir Khasru told TBS that business leaders highlighted the lack of investment, declining employment, and issues in the capital market. “If BNP forms the government, it will reduce business costs by tackling bureaucratic hurdles, extortion, high bank interest rates, and corruption,” he said.
Khasru added that the business community expressed satisfaction with BNP’s policy framework and recalled that all major economic reforms in Bangladesh were undertaken during BNP governments.