The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) handed over a cheque of Tk 1 crore in grants to rehabilitate the traders who faced damages by the recent fire incident at Bangabazar clothing market in Dhaka.
FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin handed over the cheque to the BangaBazar Complex Dokan Malik Samity yesterday at the FBCCI Icon in Dhaka.
Md. Jashim Uddin, also the new SAARC Chamber president, said, "We are handing over this check today as per our commitment. I think all capable businessmen should stand by the side of small businesses in various natural calamities and fire incidents.”
He said that businessmen must follow compliance.
“But blame should not be put on the businessmen only. All those concerned should be brought under question, including the companies that issue licenses for commercial buildings and factories,” he emphasised.
To avoid such accidents in the future, the FBCCI President urged the government to take steps to build permanent and modern buildings for the affected traders.
He also urged the business leaders and market committees to be aware of the risky markets and to do the necessary reforms.
So far 5000 companies have been visited through this Safety Council. This safety council will visit a total of 44 thousand companies across the country. Apart from this, fire-fighting training is being given in every factory. FBCCI president urged the Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity and the FBCCI Fire Safety Council to work together to ensure fire safety in shops and shopping malls.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said that the fire service unit marked the Bangabazar as risky and warned several times, “but the matter has not been given importance by the market committee.” He urged everyone to be more responsible instead of blaming the government.
Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity President Helal Uddin said that the existing markets in the capital were being inspected.
“If any type of the risk is noticed, they will be warned as well as instructions will be given to reform them within the stipulated time.”
FBCCI vice president Md Amin Helaly, director Md Habib Ullah Dawn, secretary general Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, head of the FBCCI Safety Council Brigadier General Abu Nayeem Md. Shahidullah (Retd.), President and Secretary of Bangbazar Complex Dokan Malik Somity, and other business leaders were also present at the event.