Won't take power by unfair means PM tells businessmen conf'ce, seeks support

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the Businessmen Conference 2018 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital yesterday. In her speech, Hasina said her party wanted a peaceful election on December 30. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said she did not want to go to power by any means which might destabilise peace in the country.

“I don't have any desire to go to power by any means...if we can get elected by people's vote, then it's Alhamdullillah. If we can't retain power, there is no problem. Let peace prevail in the country,” she said.

Hasina was addressing the Businessmen Conference 2018 in the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. The programme titled “Bangladesh towards peace and prosperity” was organised by Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

The PM said her party wanted to see a peaceful election in the country as many political parties would contest the December 30 parliamentary polls.

The AL president said a peaceful situation was prevailing in the country. “Let the election be held maintaining this peaceful atmosphere. The party which will win the people's mandate will be in power.”

The country would advance further if the peaceful situation prevailed, she added.

The PM sought support from the businesses community for “boat”, the AL's electoral symbol, to maintain the pace of development and finish the incomplete development projects to make the country a developed one.

We've taken up so many projects including some mega projects that we need more time to complete those.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at yesterday's conference in the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Photo: PID
Describing the private sector as the driving force of the country's economy, the PM said the sector would be the key player and the government would act as its facilitator.

Hasina said the drives against militancy, terrorism and drugs would continue and the government would show “zero tolerance” against corruption.

Terming Hasina the “symbol of hope” for the business community and common people, top business leaders said they wanted to see her as the country's PM for next term again.

They extended their full support to the “zero tolerance” policy against corruption.

“The business community wants a leader who have vision, courage, cooperation and whose doors are always open for them,” FBCCI President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said.

The PM was the last resort to resolve any problem of industries, owners and workers and she stood as the “guardian for development”, he added.

Former FBCCI president Salman F Rahman, also the PM's adviser on private enterprises, said the business community was very much grateful to the PM as she extended cooperation to every businessman irrespective of their political affiliation to do business freely over the last 10 years.

Former FBCCI presidents Mahbubur Rahman, Mir Nasir Hossain and AK Azad, leading woman entrepreneur Rokia Afzal Rahman, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Nihad Kabir, BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Abdul Muktadir, ACI Limited Chairman Anis Ud Dowla, Grameenphone CEO Michael Foley, Microsoft Bangladesh MD Sonia Bashir Kabir, City Group Chairman Fazlur Rahman and BASIS President Syed Almas Kabir spoke at the programme, moderated by the FBCCI chief.

President of Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturer & Exporters Association of Bangladesh Saiful Islam, DCCI President Abul Kasem Khan, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Berger Paints MD Rupali Chowdhury, Mohammadi Group MD Rubana Huq, AKM Selim Osman MP, Tipu Munshi MP, former BGMEA presidents Kutubuddin Ahmed, Atiqul Islam and Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Anwar Group MD Manwar Hossain, Abdul Monem Sugar Refinery Chairman Moinuddin Monem, BSRM Group Chairman Ali Hussain Akber, Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity President Helal Uddin and Anisur Rahman Sinha of Opex Group also addressed the conference.

A video documentary on the development of various sectors and mega projects undertaken by the government was screened at the programme.!