Leading chambers and a major trade body yesterday expressed concern at opposition plan to go for yet another series of shutdown.

In separate statements. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry' (FICCI) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and exporters Association (BGMEA) reiterated their call to the parties to settle disputes through dialogue discarding programmes harmful to t he country's economy.

The FICCI in a statement yesterday jppeaht 40 all concerned to reach a consensus for avoiding confrontational politics and refrain Irom any further step harmful to the national interest. ( lashes on the streets and continuous hartals leave serious damaging effects on the business and economic activities, thereby increasing cost of business and tarnishing ihe country's image abroad, said the statement signed by 11( (J president Wali Bhuiyan

I he platform of foreign companies doing business in Bangladesh observed (hat the major political parlies here are professedly private sector friendly. But "from their activities it appears that they simply bother lo care for the interest of ihe business community if it suits their political interests."

In order to attract more foreign investment, which Bangladesh needs very much for capacity building. ihe FKX I said, it is important to make sure that existing foreign investors do not become disinter-eslcd to continue their businesses here.

President ol ihe Dhaka (Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCC!) Bcnajir Ahmed also expressed deep concern over the existing political situation saying that it is hard to keep pace with international trade, if the present political instability continues.

I Ie also urged the political parties

to resolve the prevailing crisis, otherwise it would be difficult to survive in the global trade.

In a press release yesterday BGMEA president Kutubuddin Ahmed said the current political crisis in the country is seriously affecting export of readymade garments.

I Ie also said it is very important to gain confidence of foreign buyers for garment business, but the existing political turmoil may lead up to loss of confidence.