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Singaporean entrepreneurs critical about hartal |
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August 31, 2000
Singapore (UNB) - Singaporean entrepreneurs showed interest to invest in Bangladesh, but they were critical over political programmes like hartal and harassment by the Board of Investment. They also expressed dissatisfaction over lengthy process in executing investment proposals due to bureaucratic bottlenecks, weekly holiday and difficulties in getting telephone connections, work permit, multiple entry visa, etc. The complains were made by prospective and existing Singapore investors in Bangladesh at the daylong Seminar on "Trade and Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh" here yesterday (Wednesday). "Its true that we have some problems, but we have taken initiative to solve these problems," Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed told the entrepreneurs in the seminar. About the much-criticised hartal, the minister mentioned that the ruling Awami League already made a commitment that it would not call any hartal when it would be in opposition. He also informed the Singaporean investors that steps have been taken to develop the telecommunication infrastructure. "Things are now moving in proper direction." Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore said there is a need of rethinking about the tariff structure of telephone. "It should not be a cash cow." To have an idea about political intensity in Bangladesh that hinder business activities, Singaporean entrepreneurs wanted to know the number of political parties in the country. Those who already running their business in Bangladesh said they get only three full working days in a week in real term due to the country’s two-day weekly holiday and Sunday which is the weekly holiday in most parts of the world. Expressing similar sentiment FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo told the Singapore businessmen that the matter should be settled soon. He said he had already talked to the government in this regard. Moreover, Muslim countries like Pakistan and Malaysia have already shifted the weekly holiday to Sundays. About the political instability and strikes, the FBCCI chief said all political parties now started understanding that hartal is harmful to the national economy. "We, the business community, hope that the political situation in Bangladesh will be more business-friendly after the next general election," he said. |