The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) yesterday urged political parties to find an alternative to hartal, saying dawn-to-dusk shutdowns hurt the economy.

It called upon the political parties to exercise alternative methods of political demonstrations, such as road-march, human chain and hunger strike to sensitise the gravity of their issues, the chamber said in a statement.

Expressing grave concerns, the chamber urged the opposition alliance to withdraw the second spell of strike to help keep the wheels of the economy moving.

The country experienced serious economic losses due to three general strikes last week, DCCI said.

This week's call for another two-day strike will affect the economy adversely, it said. “The chamber feels that such strike will again bring economic activities to a halt and add to the economic losses and sufferings of the business community.”

The country's exports and imports are hampered as transportation is hindered and consignments are stuck at the port, it said.

Coupled with inadequate power and gas supply and weak infrastructure, such frequent strikes add to the troubles of the business community, DCCI said.