DHAKA, Businesses and entrepreneurs in the iron and
steel industry today urged the interim government, led by Nobel laureate
Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, to take necessary steps for simplifying further
the customs procedures and enhancing capacity of ports for importing smoothly
raw materials and capital machineries of the industry.
The call was made at a meeting on the standing committee of the Federation of
Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) on iron, carbon steel,
stainless steel and re-rolling industry held at the FBCCI Bhaban in the
capital’s Motijheel area.
Presided over by Standing Committee Chairman and Shahriar Steel Mills Ltd
Managing Director SK Masudul Alam Masud, committee director in charge and
FBCCI director M Amir Hossain Nurani was present.
The industry insiders also demanded of the interim government to take urgent
steps to ensure standard and uninterrupted power and energy supply to all
kinds of industries including in the iron and steel industries, said a pr
ess
release.
Speaking at the meeting as the chief guest virtually, FBCCI president
Mahbubul Alam at the very outset of the meeting prayed for eternal peace of
the departed souls of those who were killed during the recent anti-
discriminatory student movement and student-led mass uprising that led to the
ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He also wished speedy recovery of the injured being under treatment at
various hospitals of the country.
Noting that the iron and steel industry is very much important for ensuring
the overall economic development of the country, Mahbubul urged the
entrepreneurs of this industry to become united to address the existing
problems.
He noted that not only in the iron and steel industry, but also the issue of
customs procedures of imported goods is a big challenge.
The chief of the country’s apex trade body also hoped that the new NBR
Chairman would be sincere enough to simplify further trade and commerce in
the country.
FBCCI senior vice president Md
Amin Helali said that there is a big scope for
utilizing the brand value of Chief Adviser Nobel Laureate Professor Dr
Muhammad Yunus since he is an internationally acclaimed personality.
During the open discussion, the business leaders discussed the issues
relating to keeping stable the bank interest rates, reducing turnover tax and
VAT on income tax, removing the complexities relating to HS code, not
realizing additional fine, and making rational customs tariff.
The meeting was informed that the per capita usage of steel in the country is
40 kilogram which is 90-kg in neighboring India. Bangladesh has to import
around cent percent of its demand for steel since there is no iron ore mine
in the country. The country has to import around 30 lakh metric tons of steel
every year to meet the local demand.
FBCCI vice-president Md Munir Hossain, former first vice-president Mohammad
Ali, current directors Hafez Hazi Harun or Rashid, Azizul Haque, Md Niaz Ali
Chsiti, standing committee co-chairman and mem
bers attended the meeting,
among others.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha