Salman F Rahman: Collective effort needed to tackle economic challenges

Salman F Rahman urged the country’s business leaders to conduct their business with patience and honesty for the people’s welfare. "Everyone has to work together to face the economic challenges posed in the prevailing unstable global context," he said during a views-exchange with a delegation led by FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam at the adviser's office. He further said the pace of Bangladesh's development will continue.

Later in the day, a delegation of the Bangladesh Chemist & Druggist Samity congratulated Salman F Rahman on assuming his post for the second consecutive term. At this time, the adviser urged the delegation to appoint category-wise pharmacists as per the Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh's (PCB) policy in all pharmacies of the country.

FBCCI as the apex trade organization, represents the whole private sector including 409 trade and sector base associations, 87 district base trade and commercial chambers and 20 chambers jointly with foreign countries in Bangladesh. Beside this it has 75 Standing Committee including Standing Committee on Labor Policy, Fire Safety & Security, Disaster and Explosion, Environment, Forest and Climate Change. FBCCI plays a pivotal role in consultative and advisory capacity in the formulation of economic, commercial, industrial and fiscal policies of the Government. It has been playing a very significant role in different permanent committees and forums of the Government and Economic Development organizations for mutual sharing of views on all vital issues concerning and affecting the national economy.

FBCCI internationally maintains close relations with Trade and Industrial Associations and other mercantile and public bodies abroad. FBCCI is the member of different international bodies, such as International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), and the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI). FBCCI also interacts with various international economic and trade promotion organizations including UNDP, ESCAP, UNIDO, ITC, GATT-UNCTAD. To safeguard and protect the interest of business community in the international arena, FBCCI maintains close communication with these International Organizations.

Safety standards in the RMG sector has improved remarkably in Bangladesh. However, accidents in other industrial sector have resulted in the death of a large number of workers and employees as well as financial losses for the factory owners in recent years. This situation is a matter of concern for all, including the business community of the country. There is no substitute for sustainable productivity in an improved work environment to survive the competition of globalization. To this end, the FBCCI, along with the government, has taken a number of initiatives to address the issue of occupational health and industrial safety. Recently PMO has tasked BIDA to conduct joint public-private inspection cum survey of Non-RMG sectors in collaboration with FBCCI keeping the President of FBCCI in the National Committee for this purpose. This committee is also studying the feasibility of one-window-service platform for better safety compliance in the factories and establishments.