Let the world know successes of Bangladesh: CACCI

Bangladesh should tell the world about its extraordinary achievements on development and economic fronts as the country's successes are mostly unknown to most countries, a foreign business leader said yesterday.

“Bangladesh will have to tell the story of its achievements to the world," said Jemal Inaishvili, president of Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI).

"It is a success story. The country has achieved a lot since its independence, especially in the last 10 to 15 years. Everyone should see it because it is completely different from what I was expecting," he said at a meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith at the latter's office in the secretariat. 

Inaishvili is heading a business delegation from CACCI on a four-day visit to Bangladesh on the invitation of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

CACCI is a regional grouping of apex national chambers of commerce and industry, business associations and business enterprises in Asia and the Western Pacific.

Since its establishment in 1966, the chamber has grown into a network of national chambers of commerce with members from 27 countries, including New Zealand, Russia, Georgia, the Philippines and Iran.

Pradeep Kumar Shreshtha, vice president of CACCI, said Bangladesh has become a good example for other countries in progress despite all political turmoil.

"Development has taken place, growth is steady."

He urged Bangladesh to become an active member of CACCI to reap the benefits. "It would be a win-win situation for chambers in Bangladesh and chambers in the CACCI as the CACCI is a very big organisation."

Chambers from 27 countries are now members of CACCI; another three countries will join in a few months, said Shreshtha. 

Many countries in the CACCI do not know much about Bangladesh, he said. "This opportunity should be taken by the business community in Bangladesh."

CACCI should work on relaxing visa requirements for businesspeople in Saarc, so they can move freely within the CACCI member countries, which will ultimately benefit trade and commerce, he added.

Samir Modi, senior vice president of CACCI, said the whole world is impressed by the progress made by Bangladesh. "We are really impressed by the good governance the country has had."

He said the Silk Road Sea Project would be very useful for Bangladesh.

Discussing the political impact on business, Inaishvili said, "Business societies are really concerned a lot as they are the first victims of any political instability."

"Building a business takes years apart from investment. But destroying the business takes a very short time. In my country, we have had such bad experiences," he said, adding that the CACCI would promote Bangladesh. 

Muhith termed the ongoing blockade anti-development activities. He assured the business delegation that the turmoil would soon be over.

"This has nothing to do with politics. This is how I see it. This is very unfortunate. But we are quite confident that we will soon overcome the temporary crisis."

Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, president of FBCCI, said businesses and investors in CACCI should invest in Bangladesh as the country offers a lot of facilities and incentives to foreign investors.

Leslie Wong, vice chairman of Kowloon Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, and Golnaz Salahshour, a senior expert of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, also spoke.