BNP for liberalised economy to ensure level playing field for business

BNP standing committee member Ameer Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury pledged ‘a more liberalised and democratic economy' on Tuesday, saying that if voted to power, his party will ensure a level playing field for the business community.

Addressing a business delegation of British Bangladeshis, he also expressed his party’s commitment to equal treatment for both domestic and foreign investors.

“We are doing our homework, and I have been talking to business communities across the board and trying to understand, get their feedback, their problems, the prospects. Where do you go from here? It's very important. And I can assure you, as I said, the next economic environment will be one of very liberal we are going to go for serious liberalisation, as far as we are concerned,” the former commerce minister said.

“And when I say serious liberalisation, I mean serious liberalisation-democratisation of the economy. which means equal opportunity for all business people”

He said the previous 15 years of rule of the Awami League saw a patronised and oligarchic economy, which ruined the base that had been created over the years as a free market economy.

“And the level playing field for everybody was somewhat distorted over last few years, and that, of course, damaged some of the economic aspirations of the business community, investors at home and abroad”.

“I'm happy to say that that is over, that is behind us. Let us put it down to experience. Don't carry the baggage of politics. I don't believe that what has ended you have to close the chapter, start a new chapter. Instead of carrying the baggage, let's do carry the baggage. So new chapter Bangladesh 2.0 is has opened up a door of great opportunity for all of us at home in our diasporas, in the UK, so we can make the most of it”.

“And to start with the level playing field, what I mean is we must have a business environment where the domestic investors and the investors from outside should not feel that they are different.”.

“I can assure you. You all know that it has been done in the past, but as I said, for the distortion that took place that did not help many investors, because when you see the oligarchic and patronised economy, that does not really give the level playing field, but I think that's open now,” he noted.

Mr Khosru also felt that bonded warehouses and back-to-back LC facilities, being enjoyed by the textiles sector, should be provided more sectors.

Highlighting the significant role of Diasporas in global economies, particularly the British and Bangladeshi Diasporas in supporting Bangladesh's economic progress, Khosru urged them to invest more in the country.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining a high moral ground on issues like minority rights and stressed the importance of investing in health and education to leverage Bangladesh's demographic dividend and ensure a skilled workforce, crucial for future economic growth.

Khosru pointed out that misinformation was spread against Bangladesh centred on the minorities issue.

“Misinformation campaign is being carried out against Bangladesh; Bangladesh is one country, I can assure you. We all know that we have no discrimination between the religious caste and the people in the hills and the plain; everybody is treated equally,” he told the British Bangladeshi business delegation

He said Bangladesh is one country that will not accept minority oppression, and people here will maintain their moral high ground come what may in the region or in the neighbourhood.

“Whatever has happened in the neighbourhood or in the region in the way of minority repression or religious repression, this is not going to happen in Bangladesh. This is, this is the strength of Bangladesh. And this is the asset for Bangladesh, and this is what we are going to uphold our moral high ground we will never lose. So this is also good for business. The reason I am saying this because this gives confidence to investors,” he explained.

Assuring ‘comfort zone’ for all investors he said It's a comfort, comfortable zone for all the investors. If Bangladesh is local, investors don't have a comfort zone. No question that foreign investors have a comfort zone in Bangladesh. We have to make sure that comfort zone is for everybody,” he added.

Briefing further on part policies, he said, “I can assure you, in two areas. One is health, one is education. On the health we have already declared from our party side, we are going to have going to help universal health care for all”

“And as I say, the economy of Bangladesh has a great future. And together with our UK diaspora and Bangladesh’s business community, I'm sure we will create a great future for Bangladesh economically,” he added.

British MP of Bangladeshi origin Rupa Huq and UK Bangladesh Chamber Chairman Iqbal Ahmed also spoke on the occasion, which was chaired by BTMA president Shawkat Aziz Russel.

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