Better business climate in Bangladesh?

By raheem

The Bangladesh government today launched the Better Business Forum (BBF). The body is going to be working directly under the Chief Advisor’s office with administrative support from the Board of Investments. The membership of the body is certainly impressive (see list below). In addition to the major sectors of the government, the group also consists of private representatives from the garments, telecommunication, technology, financial and agriculture sectors. The business community can now communicate their concerns directly at the top levels of government. Contrast this with what was happening only one and half years ago when a chosen few corrupt businessmen had access to the PMO’s office via bribery and backroom dealings! In this respect, there is now greater transparency.

It will be interesting to observe the effectiveness of the BBF. If successful, this could be the start of a renaissance in Bangladeshi entrepreneurial climate. For a long time our entrepreneurs succeeded in spite of the government. Now, perhaps they can achieve greater heights of success with a little help from the government.

• Bangladesh Better Business Forum
• Adviser for industries, communications, power, energy and mineral resources,
• Adviser for law, justice and parliamentary affairs
• Adviser for foreign affairs,
• The army chief,
• Cabinet secretary,
• Principal secretary to the chief adviser,
• Bangladesh Bank governor,
• Principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division,
• Chairman of the National Board of Revenue,
• Finance secretary,
• Commerce secretary,
• Industries secretary,
• Law secretary,
• FBCCI president
• DCCI president
• CCCI president
• MCCI president,
• BGMEA president
• President of Bankers Association of Bangladesh,
• President of Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh,
• Renowned economist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad,
• Founder and chairperson of Brac Fazle Hasan Abed,
• BKMEA president,
• BTMA president,
• Former president of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters’ Association SyedMahmudul Huq,
• Managing Director of Renata Ltd Syed S Kaisar Kabir,
• Director of Kazi Farms Ltd Kazi Zisan Hasan,
• Group CEO of Rahimafrooz Bangladesh Ltd Samir Asaf,
• MD of Information Solution Ltd Syed Shapir Khasru,
• Chairman of AKTEL Bangladesh Salahuddin Kashem Khan,
• Chairperson of Bangladesh Tea Association Laila Rahman Kabir and
• Professors of economics at Dhaka University Dr Md Ali Taslim and Dr SM Asikuzzaman

An Honest Politician

By raheem

While cruising through Youtube’s top rated videos I noticed several of the top ten videos featured presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul. Getting curious I checked them out and read more about him at wikipedia and am quite impressed. Check out the following snippets:

Paul spends extra time in the district addressing constituents’ concerns, to compensate for “violat[ing] almost every rule of political survival you can think of,”^[34] sometimes three to four days a week, often accompanied by grandchildren. He attends graduations, civic ceremonies, and Boy Scouts of America honor ceremonies. In an expansive district, he often logs over 300 miles (500 kilometers) daily, visiting constituents or handling their concerns. He reaches out to 14th district voters on veterans’ issues, such as procuring medals for war veterans who lost or never received their medals, and holding medal ceremonies for those whose medals are being presented. His staff has helped senior citizens of the district get free or low-cost prescription drugs through a little-known drug company program; is known for its effectiveness in tracking down Social Security checks; and sends out birthday cards to constituents, as well as condolence cards on the deaths of family members.

2008 campaign chair Kent Snyder first worked for Paul on the 1988 campaign—when U.S. Senator John McCain told him, “You’re working for the most honest man in Congress.”

I find Ron Paul’s story refreshing and inspiring. There are a lot of good people out there in government. But power is such an intoxicating influence that it changes most people. So in that sense, it is amazing to see someone as devoted to his constituents as Ron Paul. I wish we could have candidates like him in Bangladesh as well. Ron Paul is also testament that the internet is helping the enduring American experiment.