Industry leaders meet Jamaat ameer, discuss country’s commerce, investment potential
The industry owners urged all political parties to help maintain stability in factories and extend overall cooperation to protect industrial growth
A group of industry leaders met Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman at his office in Bashundhara, Dhaka, today (14 September).
According to a post on the party's official Facebook page, the discussion covered the potential of Bangladesh's industry and commerce, new investment opportunities, the business environment, and contemporary challenges, particularly the Labour Act 2025.
The industry owners urged all political parties to help maintain stability in factories and extend overall cooperation to protect industrial growth.
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In response, the Jamaat ameer stressed the importance of strengthening worker–owner relations to safeguard the country's industries and keep the economy on track.
He also expressed gratitude to the delegation for their visit and for enquiring about his health.
Among those present were Tapan Chowdhury, former adviser to the caretaker government and managing director of Square Pharmaceuticals; Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); Mohammad Hatem, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA); Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, president of the Bangladesh Employers Federation; Saifullah Mansur, director of BGMEA; Mozammel Haque Bhuiyan, chairman of BGMEA's One Stop Service Cell; and Masud Kabir, chairman of BGMEA's Public Relations and Publicity Committee.
Also in attendance were Jamaat's Industry and Commerce Wing President Shahidul Islam, Secretary General Anwarul Azim, and physician Dr Khaliduzzaman.
Why did the meeting take place?
Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), told The Business Standard, "We sought Jamaat's cooperation to improve the country's business-friendly environment."
When asked about the reason for meeting the party's chief, he said, "We already had an invitation from Jamaat. As the new board elected at BGMEA, we also wanted to meet with them."
Mohammad Hatem, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) told TBS, "We met Jamaat not for any political purpose. The meeting was intended to share the current state of the country's business and trade."
Businesses are not affiliated with any political party, but politicians play a crucial role in ensuring a stable business environment, he added.
"During our discussion with Jamaat's Ameer, we talked about labour law reforms, aiming to balance the interests of both workers and employers, as well as necessary reforms within the National Board of Revenue [NBR].
"We also exchanged views on the challenges businesses are likely to face during the post-LDC transition period."
Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told TBS, "Our discussion with him was mainly about the current reform challenges, especially regarding labour reform, and at the NBR."
"There is a proposal from the government side that, if 20 workers in any factory want, a trade union can be formed. We discussed with him what impact this could have on the industry," he added.
However, leaders of both the BGMEA and BKMEA said they did not discuss the current political situation or the upcoming election.
