54 people get CIP status

The industries ministry yesterday conferred the status of 'Commercially Important Person' on 54 businesspersons in recognition of their contributions to the economy.
“The award is recognition and motivation for the entrepreneurs,” said Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, one of the recipients of the title.
He went on to urge the government to extend more privileges befitting their CIP status.
In response, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, who gave away the cards at a ceremony in Dhaka, said the government will take a series of decisions taking the best interests of the entrepreneurs into consideration.
Businesses have done very well amid the global financial crisis and repeated strikes and blockades at home.

The CIPs, whose names were announced on January 28, were selected from seven categories: 11 from the ex-officio category, 21 from large-scale industries, 10 from medium industries, five from small industries, five from services industries and one each from the micro and cottage industries.
The CIPs will enjoy a host of privileges for the next one year, which include: permission to enter the secretariat, participation in different national programmes and priorities on booking tickets for air, railway and waterways for business purposes.
The foreign ministry will also help the CIP cardholders receive visas by issuing letters of introduction to the related embassies.
The CIPs will also have access to the VVIP lounges at airports and their families will get priority in booking cabins at government hospitals for treatment.
ASM Mainuddin Monem, deputy managing director of Abdul Monem Ltd, said the private sector has played a key role in promoting the country to the world.