Staff Correspondent

The present image and role of the business community is not satisfactory in the wake of soaring commodity prices, finance adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam said Wednesday.

"In the context of rising prices, it is widely assumed by general people that businessmen are not acting responsibly towards society," he said.

The finance adviser said that at this critical juncture, businessmen should try to improve their image and role by displaying social responsibility. He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at the launch of a business directory published by the International Chambers of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICCB).

"Rather, the public believes businessmen are actively profiting from the current situation." FBBCI president Annisul Huq, speaking as the special guest, asked the government to take more steps to restore the confidence of business community. "We are always looking to cooperate with the government, but more should be done to increase our level of confidence," he said.

The adviser said unavoidable situations had led the government to take actions that had affected the business community's confidence in doing business.

"But everyone would agree that there were 'unholy alliances' among the business community," Mirza Aziz said. Given that situation, the government was fully trying to restore an atmosphere conducive to doing business, he said. "That is reflected by our initiatives in forming a Better Business Forum and the Regulatory Reforms Commission," he added.

The finance adviser stressed that the government was aiming to establish an environment where the full potential of Bangladesh's business community could be realised. The government was trying to revitalise the economy, he added.

"We are improving provisions of infrastructure, which is being seen as the port activities of Chittagong have improved significantly during the present administration." The adviser also mentioned further initiatives to set up rental power plants to meet power demands and offshore bidding to explore mineral resources.

Launching the new Business Directory, ICCB president Mahbubur Rahman said it is designed to serve as a handbook for anyone interested in commerce, trade and investment in Bangladesh. "The directory analyses the latest trends in foreign direct investments (FDI) and incentives provided by the government."

"In addition to that, a brief on different government policies is expected to help investors understand the country's business environment," the ICCB president said. Board of Investment chairman Kamaluddin Ahmed, ICCB vice presidents Latifur Rahman and Samson H Chowdhury also spoke.

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