Shutdown hurts Ctg businesses

Business leaders in Chittagong are frustrated with the continuous political strikes, as the country's economy is taking a hit.
Hartals are tarnishing the country's image and foreign investors would move to neighbouring countries with their business if this continues, they said.
There were two strikes last week. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami enforced a 48-hour strike starting yesterday, followed by BNP's hartal on Tuesday.
Business leaders in Chittagong urged the political parties to refrain from hosting programmes that hamper business and to ensure a peaceful environment.
Nasiruddin Chowdhury, the first vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said their business is based on imports and exports and hartals hamper the transportation of imported and manufactured goods.
He said, if the current situation continues, the garments industry would collapse and have a devastating impact on the economy. The foreign buyers are keeping an eye on the situation and it would not be surprising if they divert business elsewhere, Chowdhury added.
He urged all the political parties to come to an amicable decision for the economy's sake.
Mahbubul Alam, senior vice president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said even though calling a strike is a democratic right of any political party, they should refrain from taking steps that are detrimental to business.
It is their responsibility to ensure smooth operations of businesses, he added.
Kamal Hayat, senior vice president of Bangladesh Shipping Agents' Association, said hartals affect port activities, causing “irreparable damage to the economy.”
Hayat said, at the end of the day, the common people suffer the most. He called upon the politicians to be more sensible and honest about their political activities, to ensure both economic development and peace and stability in the country.
Khatunganj, one of the biggest wholesale markets of essential commodities, was deserted yesterday, with hardly any trade taking place.
Syed Sagir Ahmed, general secretary of Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, said transactions worth Tk 1,000 crore-Tk 1,200 crore takes place in Khatunganj on a normal day, which dropped to less than 15 percent of the amount yesterday.
He said the prices of essential commodities might rise if such a situation continues.