Marcia S. B. Bernicat, the US ambassador to Bangladesh praised that Bangladesh has made remarkable progress, especially in the areas of improving living standard, health, hygiene and sanitation. But she also opined that labor rights including rights to trade union should be ensured in workplaces, says a press release.
The US envoy was peaking as the Guest of Honor in the 10th Anniversary and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of 2015 of IBFB held on Thursday, 12 May 2016 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka. She also praised the works of IBFB to improve better business environment done in the past.
Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, FBCCI spoke as the Special Guest at the event. Mentioning the achievement of 7% GDP growth in the first nine months of this Fiscal Year, he said, Bangladesh is no more a bottomless basket. It is not a dream to become a middle income country by 2021, rather it is now a possibility, he added. He specially highlighted the accomplishments of IBFB which greatly impacted the businesses and economy of the country. He assured IBFB members that IBFB and FBCCI will work together for the betterment of the business community at large.
Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, President of IBFB chaired the event. While delivering his opening remarks, the IBFB President requested the U.S. Ambassador to take effective measures for opening at least two separate U.S. Trade Centers in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Among others, Ms. Stephanie Lynn, Chief of Party, Democracy International, Bangladesh, Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President, Mr. Md. Omar Shafayat Kausar, Vice President and Mr. Humayun Rashid, Vice President (Finance), Mr. S. M. Abu Tayyab, President, Chittagong Chapter of IBFB were also present at the event.
IBFB has also given reception to the IBFB Members whose companies received the Bangladesh President’s Award for Industrial Development-2014. The companies were BSRM Steel Ltd., BRB Cables Industries Ltd., Abdul Monem Ltd. and Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. In addition, reception was also given to Chevron Bangladesh as the single largest foreign investor in the country.
It may be mentioned that Mr. Abul Maal A. Muhith, MP, Hon’ble Finance Minister was supposed to grace the event as the Chief Guest, but he could not attend the event due to an urgent meeting. However, he sent message to IBFB leaders and wished the event to be a grand success.
