'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).

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.

"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."