Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding factories from violence and attacks during a meeting on Tuesday.
The statement was made when a business delegation, led by Mahbubur Rahman, President of the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh, met him at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital.
“The first responsibility of our government is to provide protection to the industry,” said Professor Yunus.
He assured the business leaders of the government’s full support in driving the country’s industrial growth to new heights.
“Bangladesh’s industry will reach new heights soon. We want to take the industry to a new level with all of our cooperation,” he told the delegation during the courtesy meeting.
The meeting was attended by prominent industry figures, including Tapan Chowdhury, Managing Director of Square Pharmaceuticals; AK Azad, former FBCCI President; Mir Nasir Hossain, another former FBCCI President; Khondker Rafiqul Islam, President of the BGMEA; and Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bangladesh.
During the discussions, the entrepreneurs highlighted the current challenges faced by businesses, urging the Chief Adviser to take necessary measures to ensure law and order in industrial areas so that factories can operate smoothly.
They expressed concerns about recent unrest in the garment and pharmaceutical sectors, suspecting that the vandalism of factories may have been instigated by outsiders, including groups based abroad.
The business leaders also called for enhanced security in industrial zones, warning that the country’s image could be tarnished if safety and security in factories are not ensured.
In response, Professor Yunus emphasised that the student-led revolution had ushered in a new era of hope in the country, and the interim government is committed to implementing much-needed reforms in the industry, finance, and manufacturing sectors.
The Chief Adviser also urged industry leaders to undertake labour reforms to attract more orders from top global brands and retailers.
“We have a big opportunity to carry out vital reforms. We need to upgrade our labour laws to ILO standards,” he said.
Professor Yunus further revealed that he had spoken to top CEOs from across the globe, who expressed keen interest in investing in Bangladesh and placing more orders with the country’s manufacturers.