Chambers decry inclusion in US terror-risk list

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) yesterday expressed concern over the US decision to put Bangladesh on the terrorism watch list.

Directors of the FBCCI called for immediate withdrawal of the decision at a meeting.

Bangladesh is a secular and peace-loving country and the US decision to include it in the terror-risk list is disgraceful, the FBCCI leaders said.

The US decision is a blow to Bangladesh so far as economic and trade balance is concerned. The country will face setbacks, especially on the highly competitive open market, the FBCCI meeting was told.

The directors fear that the decision may create complexities in the export-import trade relations, as the USA has huge investment in technology and energy sectors in Bangladesh.

Besides businessmen, students pursuing higher education, tourists and immigrants in the USA will face troubles, they said.

Bangladesh has always taken a firm stand against terrorism and the international community also recognised it. Its glorious role in the United Nations peace mission has also been lauded, they said.

The leaders hoped the US administration would reconsider its decision and exclude Bangladesh from the watch list, considering all.

The DCCI in a statement said the US decision came at a time when Bangladesh proved itself to be a democratic nation that pledged solidarity with the USA in fighting global terrorism.

The new restrictions will affect the business sector, as Bangladesh depends on the USA market for readymade garments and frozen fish export and for the remittance of non-resident Bangladeshis, the statement said.

The DCCI also appealed to the US government to backtrack on the decision.