President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad on Friday night urged the government to take initiatives so that foreign diplomats cannot make any comment on the country’s internal politics. “We call upon the government to take initiatives and talk to the diplomats so that they don’t interfere in our internal politics,” he told a function at Gulshan Club in the city.
Referring to the recent remarks by a group of diplomats from European countries at a joint press conference, Azad said they (diplomats) cannot give prescriptions to politicians through holding press conferences.
The FBCCI standing committee on Tourism and Hospitality Services arranged the function titled ‘Prospects of Tourism & Steps for Us‘.
Commerce Minister GM Quader attended the function as the chief guest, while Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan spoke as a special guest. Civil Aviation Secretary M Ataharul Islam was also present.
On Wednesday, the ambassadors of the European nations expressed their grave concern over the negative image of Bangladesh abroad caused by hartals, street violence, corruption, killing and disappearances and called for dialogue between the parties to resolve the political problems and create a congenial environment to attract foreign companies to make investment in Bangladesh.
The apex trade body leader also urged the political parties to shun the path of hartal, a ‘destructive means of protest’, and said they would help win elections that party which will promise not to call hartal when they will be in the opposition in the future.
“We need to be united against hartal….we need to ensure that no one dies in the name of hartal,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, GM Quader reiterated that hartal does not hurt the economy unless there is violence.
Referring to newspaper reports, he said the number of casualties in road accidents is higher than in hartals. “But it tarnishes the country’s image abroad.”
About the country’s tourism, the minister said the sector would make a significant progress in the coming days. “Efforts are on.”
Faruk Khan said the government has already selected some zones as  ‘Parjatan Zones’ and the Parjatan Corporation is working for developing those.
He said Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata resorts would be developed in a  planned way to attract more tourists both from home and abroad.      UNB