Staff Reporter: Business leaders of the country have condemned the attempt to harass eminent industrialists by filing a baseless case and feared that such ill-motivated efforts may destabilise Bangladesh’s already struggling economy, deepening the ongoing crisis further.

They came up with the criticism in response to the inclusion of the names of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir as accused in a murder case filed with Badda police station.

Trade body leaders said the owners of Bashundhara Group have been doing business with integrity and firm commitment towards the welfare of the country and people.

Mentioning their huge contributions in creating employment opportunities for tens of thousands of people and charity works for the countrymen in distress, the business leaders called to scrutinise the intentions behind such attempts and bring those perpetrators, who are conspiring to pose a threat to the country’s economy, to book.

“We met the Bangladesh Bank governor on Tuesday, when the business leaders clearly mentioned that the authorities must not harass any entrepreneur who invested inside the country. The regulatory action is only applicable against the illegal money launderers,” said Mahbubul Alam, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) President Shams Mahmud said lawsuits against any entrepreneur have negative impacts on the economy.

He said “It’s an unrespectable action against an entrepreneur who makes most investments inside the country. Those who siphoned money abroad can be sued. However, the legal action against local entrepreneurs has other intentions,”.

Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BCMEA) President Shirajul Islam Mollah has urged the interim government not to take actions that negatively impact the economy.

“The private sector is the driving force of the Bangladesh economy where Bashundhara Group creates thousands of employment opportunities, investing billions of taka locally. If the private sector gets affected, the economy will bleed, which wouldn’t be acceptable for the sake of the country’s development,” Shirajul Islam Mollah said this while expressing dismay over the unexpected situation.

The businessman reiterated his request to the interim government to stand by the business community which contributes to the development of the economy and takes the country forward.