DHAKA, Aug 12, 2024 (BSS) - Businessmen today demanded of the government to oust National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem.

They made the demand at a view-exchange meeting of 27 export oriented business related bodies held at a hotel here.

The businessmen said if their demand is not met within tomorrow, they would lay seize the NBR Chairman's office and also the NBR building. "(Muneem) must have to go away," they said.

Speaking on the occasion, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem said, "We're demanding ouster of the NBR chairman. At the same time, we demand for withholding our process for LDC graduation in 2026 considering the current economic and political situation,"

Echoing with the suggestions of the businessmen, Hatem said that the data of the financial sector has been manipulated over the last few years while the policies which have been framed on such data should have to be revised.

Mentioning that the business community was harassed over the last few years by the NBR officials, the BKMEA executive president said that such harassment should have to be stopped through bringing reforms at the NBR. 

He also asserted that the business community does not want to advocate for any political party in future.

Hatem also urged the interim government to compensate the authorities and owners of the affected factories which were damaged during the recent anti-discriminatory quota reform movement and the mass uprising.

Extending thanks to Bangladesh Army for standing beside the business community during this difficult time, he said that the business community wants to support the interim government.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, former FBCCI president and vice chairman of BNP Abdul Awal Mintoo alleged that a group of businessmen had long been supporting the Awami League government although they were not in power through a legal election.

He said although the situation has been changed now through a student-led movement and mass uprising, but if such non-representative government stays in power for a long time, then it may create chaos.

Mintoo also called upon the interim government to hold a free and fair election in the fastest possible time.

New president of Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA) Showkat Aziz Russel welcomed the decision for enhancing the supply of gas.

Former BGMEA president Kazi Moniruzzaman said that they do not want to see anymore extortion in the mills, factories and businesses.

BGMEA director Shams Mahmood demanded of the government to ensure due security to the mills and factories and also holding fair trial for bringing the killers of the students during the movement to book.

FBCCI former vice president Abul Kashem Haider, BGMEA vice president Abdullah Hil Rakib, Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Shahadat Hossain Sohel, BGAPMEA president Md Shahriar spoke, among others, on the occasion.