C T Online Desk: Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus urged for a strong relationship between workers and owners, while also urging businesses to engage in social business, as he believes “making money is happiness, but making other people happy brings more happiness.”
He made the remarks as a chief guest during the “National Business Dialogue” at the Hotel InterContinental in the capital.
On the other hand, the business community is more interested in initiating a new chapter of responsible business operation in the country and wants to end the politically-blessed business culture, they informed.
Dr Yunus also said in his speech: “We [the interim government] hope, as long as we stay [in power], to improve the labour-owner relationship. Workers, owners, and the government will do it as a team. Doing business is a hard, but we will make the struggle easier.”
“Once it becomes a middle-income country, many opportunities will cease. But we have to make ourselves competitive. The country has to stand as a competitor as everyone comes forward. The relationship between workers and owners should be stronger,” he explained.
Encouraging social business, he said: “This is a business that can run on its own money. But no profit can be taken from it. This business can continue even after investment is withdrawn.”
“As long as I am here, I will inspire you to do social business. Don’t always trust the government. Making money is happiness. But making other people happy brings more happiness,” he also added.
Business leaders want overhaul in culture
On behalf of the business community at that view exchange meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, ICC Bangladesh director Mir Nasir Hossain said: “We want an overhaul of the politically-blessed business culture in Bangladesh.”
Mir Nasir, also a former FBCCI president, said: “I would like to say to our youth, that the business community will move forward by working together with their cooperation. We believe that their intellect, philosophy, and wisdom will give Bangladesh a new dimension in international platforms.”
He said that there is a well-orchestrated vested quarter desperate to discredit the interim government by creating chaos and unrest within the society and the economy.
“We must resist this unholy alliance and counter it with full force.”
Nasir also said the export sector in Bangladesh not only earns foreign exchange for the country but also employs many people, keeping the wheels of the country’s economy rolling.
“However, today the country’s economy is under threat due to dishonest practices and financial irregularities of some unscrupulous businessmen. On behalf of the business community, I strongly appeal to you to take strict legal action against those dishonest businesses and their associates,” he added.
“Our businesses, as a whole, have full trust and confidence in being led by Dr Yunus, which came into being as a consequence of student-led mass movement to create a ‘New Bangladesh’,” he further said.
Leaders and members of FBCCI, BGMEA, DCCI, MCCI, FICCI, BAB, BKMEA, and BCI were also present in the dialogue.
Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Planning and Education Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud and Finance and Commerce and Science and Technology adviser Salehuddin Ahmed also spoke at the event.
