Bangladesh Inc backs Hasina's 'charter of change'

Friday, 02 January 2009, 22:47 IST
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Dhaka: Captains of Bangladesh's trade and industry have hailed Sheikh Hasina's poll victory this week and want her to promote private sector for more jobs and higher exports. Leaders of the country's chamber bodies and trade associations Thursday said in a joint statement that they were enthused by the Charter of Change - as she had called her poll manifesto last month - and want her to keep her promise of achieving a "digital Bangladesh". They said they endorsed Hasina's Vision 2021, of making Bangladesh a prosperous and self-reliant nation in the year it would celebrate 50 years of independence. They also endorsed the efforts she pledged to make Bangladesh "a society free from corruption, terrorism, hunger and poverty", reported the official news agency BSS. Signatories included the chiefs of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and other representative bodies of trade and industry and garment exporters, who earn the maximum foreign exchange for the country. Taking time off from her campaign last month, Hasina had met the business community, promising to work for boosting the economy. She also urged them to pursue better labour relations, saying: "You cannot live in luxury when they are living in poverty". Bangladesh's economy, particularly the garment sector, intermittently faces industrial violence over low wages, poor working conditions and agreements not being honoured by employers.
Source: IANS