Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade organization of the businessmen of the country, is also in top in showing ‘unreasonable obedience’ to the government whoever comes into power. Some leaders of this apex trade organization seemed to overpass the partisan leaders in terms of partisanship. For realizing their own mean interest, the leaders compelled general businessmen and leaders of various trade organizations to voice in favor of the ruling government, according to various sources.
Former FBCCI president Mir Nasir Hossain told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “FBCCI worked as an agent of the former government in last 15 years. Even, the former government threatened the businessmen to work for implementing its agenda and protect their interest. Traders have been forced to hold white flags and give biased speeches in favor of the government before any peace rallies or elections. FBCCI is behind the scenes in these cases.”
The top business leader also said that FBCCI should be reformed to protect the businessmen in the coming days. Businessmen's interests have not been protected due to the insidious politicization in last 15 years. FBCCI delivered according to the government’s demand. FBCCI has failed to negotiate minimum with the government.”
Former president of FBCCI Jasim Uddin told The Bangladesh Pratidin on Sunday, “The selection process of FBCCI should be changed to make it a real trade organization to protect the interests of businessmen. Not only the interest of those involved in trading business, but also of those who are playing a role in the development of manufacturing oriented domestic industrial sector. Those genuine businessmen should be brought under the leadership of FBCCI. Good businessmen should lead and show the ways. There are many fake trade organizations in the country now. These pocket organizations should be abolished. Sector wise representatives should be elected in FBCCI.”
Sources say that the scandalous example of factionalization of FBCCI was created around the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India after the formation of the Awami League government in 2009. Awami League's Industry and Commerce Secretary Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed was made the head of the business team visiting India, excluding the then FBCCI president and later Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Anisul Haque. Since then, those who have become presidents of FBCCI earned that position with Sheikh Hasina's sympathy. Not only the post of president, many have also become vice presidents and directors under entering into the umbrella of the influential people of Awami government. In continuation of this, Hamim Group owner AK Azad became FBCCI president as the Sheikh Hasina's trusted man in the last 15 and a half years. After that, Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of Awami League's Industry and Commerce Subcommittee and Sheikh Hasina's close relative, Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Chairman of Nital-Niloy Group, Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former Chhatra League leader occupied the post of FBCCI president. Sheikh Fazle Fahim, a close relative of Sheikh Hasina and son of Awami League's influential leader Sheikh Salim and Jubo League's presidium member, has occupied the position of president of the organization, playing many controversial roles in FBCCI. After that, the vice chairman of Bengal Group Jasim Uddin and former president of Chittagong Chamber Mahbubul Alam was elected as president. Due to its controversial role in the past, the current government has appointed administrators to the organization.
It is known that in the past, by amending the Trade Organization Act, the traders were pushed to the path of partisanship. Since then, when the government came to power, FBCCI and other organizations became their political wing. As a result of factionalization, Awami League and Jubo League's rule was established in the product-based associations and district chambers under FBCCI during the last 15 and a half years of the Awami League government. Most organizations have pocket committees.
Sources said that out of the 2500-odd members in the FBCCI general committee, many are not actually businessmen. It is known that in the past, the government introduced the system of nominated directors by amending the Trade Organizations Act as these directors can enjoy all the privileges of the FBCCI Board of Directors without voting, just like the elected ones, can be a CIP or Commercially Important Person. However, the concern of the traders is that the number of these nominated directors is increasing every year.
(Translated by Lutful Hoque)
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