Online Desk: Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Mahbubul Alam on Saturday called upon the businessmen and traders at the field level to remain active to keep the market of essential items stable.

Mahbubul Alam said this while addressing as the chief guest at a view exchange meeting on essential items held at the office of Moulvibazar Baboshayi Samity in the capital, reports BSS.

He said, “We’re moving towards a trillion-dollar economy. Although Bangladesh is a small country, its market is very big. We have trade and commerce with many neighbouring countries and regions. Therefore, the businessmen should have to take forward the country’s economy after becoming united.”

Noting that the prices of essentials such as onions and potatoes remained at a tolerable level during this holy month of Ramadan, Mahbubul also sought cooperation from the customs department as well as a reduction in duty on essential commodities until Eid ul-Azha.

He believed that creating a proper database is very much important to keep the supply chain in the right order.

While speaking as a special guest, FBCCI senior vice president and FBCCI Market Monitoring Committee convener Md Amin Helali said that every year some 2.2 million (22 lakh) people are employed in the country, of which most of them are employed through the private sector.

He said apart from strengthening the country’s economy, the private sector is making an important contribution in creating employments.

Helali also urged the businessmen to conduct their businesses in accordance with the rules through pursuing the ethical business practices.

FBCCI vice president Rashedul Hossain Chowdhury (Roni) said that the businessmen make investment to do business, not to steal something.

“Small businessmen often don’t understand the concerned rules and regulations. But, before taking any legal action, they should be given an opportunity to defend themselves. The country should be taken forward taking alongside everyone.”

Bikash Chandra Das, deputy director, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), said the Directorate is being run by Act. “It’s not our intention to harass the businesses”.

He also urged the businessmen to preserve all the information and documents of their businesses.

Abdul Jabbar Mandal, assistant director of the DNCRP, said that if the cash memo system could be introduced widely, then the trend of abnormal increase in the prices of essentials would be reduced to a large extent.

He also opined that if businessmen become more aware and vocal, then adulteration of products can be prevented and prices of products can be kept under control.

Presided over by Moulvibazar Baboshayi Samity President Haji Md Bashir Uddin, directors of FBCCI, members of market monitoring committee, senior police officers, government officials, and business leaders were present, among others.