SARS complacency may make economy vulnerable

Bangladesh's exports and foreign investment may run into trouble if the government feels complacent in its efforts to prevent outbreak of SARS, a high official of German embassy said yesterday.

Hermann Nicolai, deputy head of mission of Germany, said as it seems that the brunt period of the fatal virus is over, some countries may discontinue their efforts to tackle SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which already claims 660 lives worldwide.

"I had interactions with some local RMG exporters who termed SARS a boon as their orders ran high with buyers avoiding China, Vietnam, Hong Kong and other East Asian countries where the virus played havoc," he said at a seminar on 'SARS Virus: Awareness and Prevention'.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) organised the seminar at the chamber's auditorium in Dhaka to help businessmen fend off the deadly virus.

He said though no SARS patient is yet to be spotted in Bangladesh, the government should leave no stone unturned to ward off the virus which has a total case of 8,800 worldwide so far.

Reminding that Germany is the second largest export market for Bangladeshi products with exports worth 822 million euro in 2002, he said the export volume may drastically fall if SARS is detected here.

"Even a rumour could cause irreparable damage to the country's exports," he warned.

He said Bangladeshi exporters should maintain utmost hygiene to keep the killer virus at bay.

He advised the government to follow measures taken by China and Hong Kong, the worst affected of the epidemic.

China and Hong Kong have got required logistic support to successfully handle the virus but Bangladesh lacks preparedness measures.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Yussuf Abdullah Harun said the virus is a reminder for local exporters to get prepared to face any unusual situation.

He urged businessmen to remain alert about adverse impact of SARS on exports advising them to set up disaster management cell.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Matiur Rahman urged the government to set up screening device and quarantine enclosure in all ports to stop the virus enters Bangladesh.

Prof Dr Sirajul Haque, senior consultant at the Department of Neurology and Internal Medicine of BIRDEM, Dr Peter Albrich, president of Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kanak Ranjan Talukdar, director of Institute of Disease Control, and Kazi HM Akram of World Health Organisation also spoke at the seminar.