Dhaka: BNP held a meeting with top business leaders at the Chairperson’s office at Gulshan today. During the meeting, the BNP and business leaders discussed various issues affecting the business sector, including LDC graduation and labor law amendments.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Chairperson’s adviser S M Fazlul Haque were present at the meeting. Business leaders such as BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Kamran Tanvirur Rahman, former MCCI Presidents Tapan Chowdhury and Nasim Manzur, former FBCCI President A K Azad, Pran Group Head Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, BKMEA President M.A. Hatem, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF) President Fazle Shameem Ehsan, BGMEA Secretary General Rashid Ahmed Hossainy, and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Tasneem Ahmed also attended.
Amir Khasru noted the significant concerns regarding Bangladesh’s readiness for LDC graduation, emphasizing the importance of being cautious about these issues to secure the future potential of trade and investment in the country. He mentioned that the statistics supporting LDC graduation are now questionable and that postponing it might be necessary to ensure the continued advancement of Bangladesh’s economy.
The meeting also addressed labor law amendments, with Khasru stressing the importance of considering whether changes will genuinely benefit workers and enable effective union operations. He warned against making hasty decisions that could send negative messages domestically and internationally.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted the business community’s concerns about LDC graduation deferment and labor law amendments, pointing out that while there is no objection to amending the labor law, realistic challenges remain. Khan mentioned that while most points discussed at the TCC were agreed upon, two points require further consideration.