Expressing high hope of overcoming the manmade disaster, the country’s apex trade body on Wednesday sought continued support from the foreign friends for Bangladesh’s economic development.

‘We hope the foreign missions in Bangladesh and our development partners will continue their support and cooperation to the economic development of the country,’ FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed said.

He made the call while addressing a ‘briefing meeting’ with diplomats and development partners at city’s Sonargaon Hotel. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) arranged the briefing.

Diplomats including US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, Canadian High Commissioner Benoit-Pierre Laramee, Russian Ambassador Alexander Nikolaev, Japanese Ambassador Shiro Sadoshima, South Korean Ambassador Lee Yan-young, also spoke at the function.

Business leaders, including President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) M Atiqul Islam, former FBCCI President AK Azad were present.

Kazi Akram said Bangladesh with its resilient people has a great potential to bounce back. ‘Coordinated efforts are very much required to achieve the goals’-he added.

He mentioned that Bangladesh’s prospective economy is now at the crossroad. ‘We the business people want a peaceful atmosphere to carry out our business activities.’

Expressing deep concern over the situation, thousands of businesspeople across the country on February 8 came down on the streets and staged peaceful demonstrations with the national flag in hands seeking an immediate end to destructive political programmes and thus restore a business-friendly environment in the country.

The FBCCI chief said the country counts economic loss of Tk 27 billion (Tk 2,700 crore) on average for just one day's hartal and blockade. “Due to the ongoing political violence, various sectors have so far suffered a financial loss of Tk 1.20 trillion (Tk 1.20 lakh crore) approximately in 44-day blockade.”

Bernicat, the newly appointed US ambassador to Bangladesh, said: "Like my colleagues, we have called for the cessation of the violence."

She said they are absolutely optimistic that Bangladesh and Bangladeshis have the resolve to solve the crisis. “You have the blessing of the democratic space and you have vibrant press, the civil society and active and resource-rich business community.”

Canadian High Commissioner said the ongoing violence must stop, and there must be space for peaceful political programmes.

The Korean Ambassador said the political problem should end through a consensus among political parties as soon as possible.