Business leaders meet BNP, discuss need to defer LDC graduation
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led the 11-member delegation at the meeting
A delegation of business leaders held a meeting with senior BNP leaders, including party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, this afternoon (21 September).
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led the 11-member delegation at the meeting held at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.
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Following the meeting, BNP leader Amir Khasru told reporters, "We discussed that it is necessary to defer the LDC graduation to advance the country's future, economy, investment, trade, and commerce."
He said the business leaders suggested that the government should formally write to the United Nations to request the LDC graduation deferral.
They also suggested the UN be asked to send representatives to assess Bangladesh's genuine readiness for the transition, Khasru said.
Regarding the labor law, he said the business community expressed no objection to its amendment. "However, they stressed that any reforms must be designed to genuinely improve workers' lives and guarantee that labour unions can operate effectively."
At the briefing, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan summarised the industry's position, highlighting two main priorities - the deferral of LDC graduation and the labour law amendment.
He clarified the position on LDC graduation, saying "We are not seeking a postponement of LDC graduation, only a three-year deferral. Our infrastructure is not yet ready for LDC graduation."
Industry leaders meet Jamaat ameer, discuss country's commerce, investment potential
On the labour law, he reiterated that they do not oppose the amendment, noting that at the Tripartite Consultative Committee (TCC) meeting, they had reached an agreement on 122 out of 124 points.
The meeting with the BNP follows a similar visit by a group of industry leaders to the office of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on 15 September, which generated significant public discussion.
According to a post on Jamaat's official Facebook page, the meeting with the business community covered the potential of Bangladesh's industry, new investment opportunities, the business environment, and challenges, particularly the Labour Act 2025.
