The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) requested on Sunday the students and transport workers to refrain from their ongoing programmes for the sake of country's greater interests.
"I call upon the students and transport sector workers to refrain from their ongoing movements and allow restore normalcy in trade and businesses for the nation's interest," president of the apex trade body Md Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) said.
"The ongoing movement will dampen the chances of investment in the country and will cast a negative impact on the country's image," he said at an emergency press briefing at the conference room of the FBCCI at Motijheel in the city.
He said that the imports and exports activities of the country are being disrupted due to the strike called by the transport owners.
Besides, the prices of essentials commodities will rise following the ongoing agitation programmes, putting the small traders and entrepreneurs to suffer huge financial losses.
"The business community believes that all issues should be resolved through discussion for the benefit of the people and national development," said the FBCCI president.
"We all want a stable situation will prevail in the country where every citizen will live in a peaceful and congenial atmosphere," he said.
He said that the ongoing transport strike must be withdrawn to allow the businesses grow continuously ensuring smooth imports and exports activities and investment.
Replying to a question, he said the FBCCI will sit with the transport owners soon to resume normal services.
The FBCCI president urged the transport owners to appoint skilled drivers and at the same time, the law enforcing agencies should check driving licences and other documents properly.
He called upon all not to post any fake newspictures on social media as it will only harm nation's interests and images.
"We are closely monitoring the situation," he said.
He said the ongoing students' movement is nothing but a sudden outburst of country's chaotic traffic system.
Two students of Shaheed Ramizuddin Cantonment College were killed in a road accident in the capital on July 29 last. The incident sparked a widespread protest across the country.
Subsequently the transport workers have been observing stoppage of services on security reason.
As a result, commoners have been suffering due to transport crisis in the city and absence of bus services from the capital to different districts of the country.
He said that the ongoing situation should not be allowed to prolong further.
