Many businesspersons have already expressed willingness to extend help for mitigating the sufferings of millions of flood victims, said Annisul Huq, former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

"But they feel very much confused fearing that they might be questioned about the sources of the donation", he added.

Meanwhile, BGMEA yesterday held a press conference in Dhaka to announce its relief programme across the country. It has also opened a Relief Cell at its head office in the capital.

Under the programme, members of the association's Board of Directors initially raised a fund of Tk25 lakh. They also decided to donate Tk10 lakh to the chief adviser's relief fund.

BGMEA President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury said as 4,500 members of the trade body will participate in fundraising, the amount of the donation money will increase. "We are starting our relief distribution programme from Sirajgonj today", he added.

BGMEA will distribute relief materials including rice, lentil, edible oil, oral saline, salt, candle and clothes through government and non-government relief distribution agencies of Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Sirajganj districts.

FBCCI URGES ALL TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS
Meanwhile, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) yesterday urged its members as well as the business community of the country to come forward to help the flood victims.

The FBCCI call came at an emergency meeting of the country's apex trade body yesterday with its President Mir Nasir Hossain in the chair, according to a press release.

The meeting discussed the current flood situation of the country and formed a relief committee headed by the FBCCI president.