Top business leaders and industrial entrepreneurs of the country held a meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday night, discussing the current economic situation, investment challenges and rising unemployment.

The meeting was held at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan around 7:30pm and continued for about two and a half hours, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, former FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain said the discussion focused on problems faced by businesses and industries, keeping factories operational and protecting and expanding employment.

“We told him that any government, whoever comes, must restore business confidence if the country wants economic growth. Our success is linked with the government’s success,” he said, adding that Tarique listened attentively and noted their concerns.

Nasir Hossain said the body language of Tarique was positive and reassuring.

“He listened sincerely and assured us that if he gets the opportunity, he will work with businesspeople to take the country forward economically,” he said.

BCI President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury said businesspeople must be involved in economic recovery efforts.

“Employment generation is the most important issue now. Unemployment is rising and many industries are struggling. We discussed how these sectors can be revived,” he said.

Chowdury also said the business leaders stressed the need for transparency, a business-friendly environment and policies to reduce the cost of doing business, strengthen the capital market and reduce dependence on banks.

“The most urgent issue is improving law and order. Without addressing mob culture, neither business nor normal life can run smoothly,” he said.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, who was present at the meeting, said business leaders highlighted major problems including falling investment, job losses and capital market instability.

“They expect that if BNP forms the government, it will reduce business costs, remove bureaucratic hurdles, control extortion, lower bank interest rates and tackle corruption, which is increasing the cost of doing business,” he said.

Khosru said BNP has prepared policy frameworks and has a history of economic reforms.

“BNP is a business-friendly party. The business community expressed confidence in BNP and showed satisfaction with our policy direction,” he added.

Business leaders who attended included former FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain, ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, BCI President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell, former BTMA President Matin Chowdhury, DCCI President Taskin Ahmed, MCCI President Kamran Tanvirur Rahman BGAPMEA President Md Shahriar, BCMEA President Moynul Islam Swapan, BAPI President Abdul Moktadir, BAB President Abdul Hai Sarker and Square Group Managing Director Tapan Chowdhury.

Others at the meeting included Transcom Group CEO Simeen Rahman, Meghna Group of Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mostafa Kamal, Uttara Motors Chairman Matiur Rahman, and PRAN Group Chairman and CEO Ahsan Khan Chowdhury.

Besides, Sikder Group Managing Director Amirul Haque, BSRM Chairman Alhaj Ali Hossain Akbar Ali, former BKMEA President Fazlul Haque, former BGMEA President Kutubuddin Ahmed, BCI Senior Vice President Priti Chakraborty, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation President Fazle Shamim Ehsan, former FBCCI President A K Azad, former MCCI President Nihad Kabir, Partex Group’s Azizul Kaiser Titu, former DCCI President Hossain Khaled, Steel Mill Owners’ Association President Jahangir Alam and UCBL Chairman Sharif Zahir also attended the meeting.

JPC leaders meet Tarique

Meanwhile, leaders of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) met Tarique Rahman at the same office in the evening.

Those present included National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan and management committee members Abdul Haye Sikder, Syed Abdal Ahmed, Kader Gani Chowdhury, K M Mohsin and Zahidul Islam Roni.

JPC Permanent member Atikur Rahman Ruman was also present during the meeting.

Before the meeting, they signed the condolence book opened at the office to express their grief over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Mahdi Amin named spokesperson

Meanwhile, BNP appointed Mahdi Amin as the spokesperson of its central election steering committee.

The announcement was made on Sunday evening at a press conference at the BNP election office in Gulshan by committee chairman and BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.

He said Mahdi Amin, who is also an adviser to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, will regularly brief the media on election-related activities.

Earlier, the BNP’s central election steering committee held its first meeting on the day, with Nazrul Islam Khan in the chair.