MM Rahmatullah: The FBCCI Interest Protection Council has issued a 10-day ultimatum demanding the dissolution of the advisory committee formed under the apex trade body, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).
This demand was announced at a press conference organized by the FBCCI Interest Protection Council on Saturday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. Alongside the dissolution of the advisory committee, they also called for the resignation of the appointed administrator. The council warned that if these demands are not met within the given time, they will initiate human chains and protest programs.
Present at the press conference were the convener of the FBCCI Interest Protection Council and former director of FBCCI, Anwar Hossain; member-secretary and former FBCCI director, Md. Jalaluddin; joint conveners and former directors/vice presidents of FBCCI, Mir Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Khandaker Rahul Amin, and Shafiqul Islam Bhorsa, among others.
In a written statement, the council mentioned that on August 5 last year, followed by September 11, the federation’s board was dissolved by the Ministry of Commerce, and Md. Hafizur Rahman, a member of the Bangladesh Competition Commission, was appointed as administrator. The government instructed him to carry out necessary reforms and hand over responsibilities to an elected board within 120 days through a fair and neutral election.
However, upon his appointment, Hafizur Rahman formed a four-member advisory committee consisting of individuals of his choice. This committee includes two members from the same association, which is against the rules. The committee is now accused of prioritizing personal interests over the welfare of the business community and allegedly delaying elections under the guise of reforms.
The FBCCI Interest Protection Council presented four key demands at the press conference:
A business representative elected by the FBCCI should be appointed as the administrator.
Only the necessary reforms required for elections should be carried out, and elections should be held promptly to hand over FBCCI to the business community.
The current advisory committee must be immediately dissolved and replaced with a new, truly neutral and honest business representative committee, beyond question in terms of impartiality. Members of this new committee should not be allowed to contest in the upcoming FBCCI election.
All positions in chambers and associations must be filled by representatives elected directly by their respective groups.
The business representatives stated that if these four demands are not fulfilled within the next 10 days, they will be compelled to announce broader protest programs.
Present at the press conference were the convener of the FBCCI Interest Protection Council and former director of FBCCI, Anwar Hossain; member-secretary and former FBCCI director, Md. Jalaluddin; joint conveners and former directors/vice presidents of FBCCI, Mir Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Khandaker Rahul Amin, and Shafiqul Islam Bhorsa, among others.
In a written statement, the council mentioned that on August 5 last year, followed by September 11, the federation’s board was dissolved by the Ministry of Commerce, and Md. Hafizur Rahman, a member of the Bangladesh Competition Commission, was appointed as administrator. The government instructed him to carry out necessary reforms and hand over responsibilities to an elected board within 120 days through a fair and neutral election.
However, upon his appointment, Hafizur Rahman formed a four-member advisory committee consisting of individuals of his choice. This committee includes two members from the same association, which is against the rules. The committee is now accused of prioritizing personal interests over the welfare of the business community and allegedly delaying elections under the guise of reforms.
The FBCCI Interest Protection Council presented four key demands at the press conference:
A business representative elected by the FBCCI should be appointed as the administrator.
Only the necessary reforms required for elections should be carried out, and elections should be held promptly to hand over FBCCI to the business community.
The current advisory committee must be immediately dissolved and replaced with a new, truly neutral and honest business representative committee, beyond question in terms of impartiality. Members of this new committee should not be allowed to contest in the upcoming FBCCI election.
All positions in chambers and associations must be filled by representatives elected directly by their respective groups.
The business representatives stated that if these four demands are not fulfilled within the next 10 days, they will be compelled to announce broader protest programs.
