'Smart businesspeople needed to build Smart Bangladesh'

Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Mahbubul Alam said smart government, smart society and smart businessmen are needed to build 'Smart Bangladesh' and a trillion dollar economy by 2041.

“We need smart and skilled people in the business community and other sectors as well. If smart leaders come to lead Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), the economy will get smart and Bangladesh will move one step forward towards building ‘Smart Bangladesh’,” he said.

The business leader said these while talking to journalists before a discussion on 'Importance of Chattogram in the Journey of Trillion Dollar Economy' at hotel 'Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View' in the port city on Monday night.

The discussion was organised by the CCCI President and Panel Leader of the ‘Bebsayee Oikya Parishad’ for the upcoming FBCCI election Mahbubul Alam.

Lawmaker and CCCI former President MA Latif was the chief guest at the programme presided over by the CCCI Senior Vice President Tarafder Md Ruhul Amin.

Mahbubul said Bangladesh had an economy of USD 100 billion back in 2008, which now stands at USD 457 billion.

"This proves the economic advancement of the country and we will have to maintain it in the coming days to reach to the goal of a trillion dollar economy," he said.

Regarding the political stability in the country, he said, “FBCCI is known as the apex trade body of the country. As a presidential candidate of the body, I think Bangladesh needs a stable government and leadership to build the ‘Smart Bangladesh’ and reach trillion dollar economy.”

“We need to maintain a good relationship between the government and businesspeople,” he observed.

“If the political condition of a country is not stable, the country cannot stay stable. If the country is not stable, the business cannot thrive. As a result, the country cannot develop,” he said.

Answering to a question, Mahbubul said, “For the last 15 years the Chattogram or Mongla port never stopped their work for even a single day. We, as businesspeople, also expect the same.”

Regarding the infrastructural development of the country, the CCCI president said, “Bangladesh is now importing LNG, we have gas, the government is constructing 100 economic zones across the country, Bangabandhu Shilpanagar….we have USD 15 billion Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and the capacity of port is developing. In this way, the country is going through sector-wise development while new sectors and new businesses are also contributing in the economy.”

Talking regarding diversification of the export industry, he said, the export industry is not remained confined within the readymade garments products, rather pharmaceuticals, jute and leather products are also being exported regularly.

“I would like to urge all of you to support ‘Bebsayee Oikya Parishad’ and make a way to reach the target of trillion dollar economy,” said Mahbubul.

Walton Hi-tech Industries PLC Managing Director (MD) and director candidate for the FBCCI election from the Parishad Golam Murshed said the election is going to take place after a long time.

The panel ‘Bebsayee Oikya Parishad’ has been formed with the combination of wise, experienced and fresh ones with representatives from different sectors under the leadership of Mahbubul to lead the future Bangladesh, he said.

“If this panel wins the election, we can take FBCCI to a new height and Bangladesh forward further,” he promised.

Seeking support from all for their panel, Murshed said 23 candidates of their panel were chosen as sector-wise to lead the individual sector.

“If the 23 leaders work individually, leading the trillion billion economy will not be difficult for us,” he observed.

Replying to a question, the Walton Managing director said FBCCI works for stabling economy of the country and keeping the economic wheel moving.

“We will work for addressing sufferings of general people and to support them,” he said adding that they are committed to work in this regard.

“We will make a people and business-friendly FBCCI, as the both depends on each other,” he added.

A number of renowned industrialists and businesspeople from Chattogram and Dhaka attended the programme.