'Will boost business confidence': DCCI welcomes agreement between Yunus-Tarique on election

The agreement between the interim government and the BNP on the period for the next national election will boost Bangladesh's business confidence, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed said today (13 May).

Speaking to The Business Standard after the much-awaited meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, he welcomed the agreement between them over the next national election. 

At the meeting in London, the CA and Tarique have agreed that the election can be held by mid-February next year if all preparations can be completed by that time. 

Taskeen said this meeting has dispelled fears stemming from the uncertainty over the election period.

"We always want to keep politics separate from business. However, a stable environment is needed for business, trade and investment in the country. If the political situation is stable, the environment for business and trade is also good," Taskeen told TBS.

"We have been through a very bad time for the past year. The different statements of the government and political parties regarding the elections were creating fears of further worsening this crisis. Today's meeting between the interim government head Dr Yunus and Tarique Rahman has somewhat dispelled these fears," he said.

The DCCI president noted that a democratically elected government is always good for business, trade, and investment. "It is the government's job to hold elections and set their dates. It is necessary to maintain a peaceful situation by involving political parties in this."

He, however, emphasised that stability is also needed during the 8-9 months that are still left for the elections.

"An agreement is needed between the government and the political parties. The decision that the government has now reached on the election date will give businessmen confidence. We welcome this decision," he said.

CA Yunus, who is currently in the United Kingdom on an official visit, today met with Tarique at The Dorchester hotel in London.

The high-level meeting between the interim government chief and the acting head of the country's largest political party began at 2pm Bangladesh time and continued till 3:30pm.

During the meeting, Tarique had asked Yunus to hold the elections before Ramadan, which is likely to start on 17 February -- subject to lunar sighting.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also believes that it would be better if the elections were held during that time, Yunus was told by Tarique at the meeting, said National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman during a post-meeting press briefing.

The interim government chief responded positively to Tarique's proposal.

Stating that he had announced that the elections would be held by the first half of April next year, Yunus said, "If all preparations are completed, the elections could be held in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026.

"In that case, it would be necessary to achieve sufficient progress on reforms and justice by that time."

BNP satisfied

Speaking at a joint press briefing after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, who attended the meeting, said his party is satisfied with the outcome.

Responding to a question from journalists, Khasru said, "We must work together with all parties to build a new Bangladesh, not only before the elections, but also after the elections."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul, speaking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson's office in Dhaka's Gulshan, hailed the meeting as a turning point for the country.

"The entire nation was anxiously waiting for the nearly two-hour meeting... And everyone was waiting for the outcome of this meeting," he told journalists at the BNP Chairperson's office in Dhaka's Gulshan in the afternoon.

"I had said earlier that this meeting could be a turning point. I express my utmost gratitude to Allah that this meeting has truly become a turning point," he added.

Fakhrul further said, "The main issue of discussion was Tarique Rahman's proposal that the election be held earlier, as April is not a suitable time for polls. In that case, the entire nation happily observed that the chief adviser agreed to this, and they set mid-February as election time."

"These two leaders proved today that the people of Bangladesh can still reach consensus when needed, and leaders can lead. That is how the people of Bangladesh will move forward," he added.

Stating that the entire nation was concerned about the outcome of Tarique's meeting with Yunus, as it would be their first in-person meeting, Fakhrul said the acting chief of BNP has succeeded. "I congratulate Tarique Rahman on behalf of my party.

"I also express my sincere gratitude to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. He has shown the dream of overcoming a deadlock by inviting Tarique Rahman with great discretion and taking the nation forward again."

Following the developments, Fakhrul called on all to be united to ensure a fair election.

"We need to forget all the petty squabbles that have taken place in the past, strengthen national unity, and resolve the problems so that we can quickly go to an election in mid-February in a fair and beautiful manner and fulfil the aspirations of the nation," he said.

He said, "We should transform the structure destroyed by the fascists in the last 15 years into a democratic structure. This is the most important thing – we are getting the opportunity to transition to democracy in 15 years.