Government power must be balanced through people's power: Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury

Former Commerce Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, 'Government power is not good for any state; people's power is good for the state. This is what democracy is for. The goal of democracy is to balance the government's power through people's power. We want to build a democratic state based on people's power.'

He said these things as the chief guest at the trade dialogue organized by the Chattogram Divisional Business Forum at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Chattogram city on Monday (December 22) morning.

Mentioning the importance of holding this conference for businessmen, he said, 'We have actually been doing this exercise for the last six months. We have already done it in many divisions. Today we are doing it in Chattogram. Only Dhaka is left. We have often seen that businessmen go to politicians, i.e. ministers and MPs, for various purposes. We want to break this system. The purpose of this exercise is that politicians will come to you.’

The former Commerce Minister said, ‘A state cannot be made democratic by democratizing politics alone. Democracy means upholding the rights of all. For this, we have to create an environment. For this, our goal is to de-revolutionize Syria. Through this, we want to break the power in the hands of the corrupt.’

In order to create benefits for importers, he said, ‘We want to take everything out of the hands of bureaucracy and give it to businessmen. For this, the capacity of businessmen has to be increased. We have decided that in the future, we will provide back-to-back benefits to those who will export. Another is automation. Automation has to be done in all areas. For this, a supervisory committee will be formed. In this, all the work that needs to be done to bring a container, all the permissions that need to be taken, one-stop service has to be started through automation.’

In his speech at the event, BGMEA First Vice President Selim Rahman said, ‘More EPZs need to be created in Chattogram. If we do, we will create industry. Along with this, SMEs need to be encouraged. Besides, if we get cooperation in creating a business environment in Chattogram, we can play a good role in the national economy.’

Inter-District Bus Owners Association General Secretary Kafil Uddin said, ‘One of the reasons for the increase in road accidents is that we have not been able to create experienced drivers. We have to work for this. If we can train the drivers, we can control accidents. We will also benefit from this in terms of business.’

Chattogram Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Sultana Nurjahan Rosy said, ‘Businessmen need collateral-free loans and training. Institutional cooperation is needed. I think that if we get the opportunity to become self-reliant by creating a business-friendly environment, our families will improve and the country will prosper.’

Asian Group Chairman M. A. Salam said, ‘We want to make our business easier. There are many businessmen here. Those who have worked hard, been beaten but are surviving. We want the opportunity to speak. You give us this opportunity.’

Former Secretary General of Barvida Md. Habibur Rahman said, ‘Don’t consider Chattogram Port as regional in any way. This is a national issue. I have seen BNP’s 31-point proposal. There is a commercial issue here. However, there is more to discuss. I would like to draw the attention of Amir Khasru Bhai to this issue.’

Presided over by former president of the chamber Ali Ahmed, other speakers included Mir Abdus Salam, president of Khatunganj Business Association, Jasim Uddin, executive member of Bandarban Chamber of Commerce, Advocate Mamunur Rashid, president of Rangamati Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Manik-ur Rahman, director of Chandpur Chamber of Commerce, Junaid Ahmed Rahat, president of Junior Chamber Chattogram, Maksudur Rahman, president of Chattogram Furniture Manufacturers Association, Mohammad Amirul Haque, chairman of C-Com Group, Md. Shahid Ullah Chowdhury, first vice president of BGAPMEA, Syed Mohammad Tanvir, chairman of Pacific Jeans, and Shawkat Ali, general secretary of Chattogram C&F Agents Association, among others.