According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) data, at least 49 crude bomb explosions were reported at different locations across Dhaka in the past three days.
A bus undergoing repairs caught fire at a garage in Chattogram’s City Gate–Monsurabad area around 3am on 10 November, amid reports of petrol bomb and crude bomb attacks at several locations across the city. Photo: TBS
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A bus undergoing repairs caught fire at a garage in Chattogram’s City Gate–Monsurabad area around 3am on 10 November, amid reports of petrol bomb and crude bomb attacks at several locations across the city. Photo: TBS
Amid the ongoing unrest in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, crude bomb attacks and torching of vehicles in Dhaka and several other areas are posing fresh threats to the country’s business and investment climate, according to business leaders.
They said the country had finally got an elected government after a long period, raising hopes for political stability and a conducive environment for business and investment. However, the current situation has made them fearful about the country’s prospects.
They said such incidents send negative signals to both local and foreign investors about Bangladesh’s law and order situation, making businesses and investors more cautious.
“Bangladesh’s image abroad is already not very positive. These fresh incidents will make it difficult for us to restore the country’s image,” Fazlul Hoque, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), told The Business Standard.
He said these incidents would have a negative impact on Bangladesh’s business and investment prospects in the long run.
He urged the authorities to take swift action to bring the situation under control.
Over the past few days, incidents of crude bomb explosions and vehicle arson have been reported in Dhaka and several other parts of the country, with the frequency of such incidents increasing over the past two days.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) data, at least 49 crude bomb explosions were reported at different locations across Dhaka in the past three days.
In addition, 19 vehicles were set on fire in Dhaka and other parts of the country during the same period. Yesterday (10 November), a police vehicle was also set on fire in Tungipara, Gopalganj.
The government has blamed the activity-banned Awami League for these incidents.
Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), also said these incidents will have a negative impact on business and investment.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), echoed the concern.
“The garment sector is already facing instability over unrealistic wage demands. The fresh incidents of crude bomb explosions and vehicle arson will hamper business activities and investment growth,” he said.
“Not only businesses but also the country’s economy will suffer as a result,” he said, adding that orders had already been declining due to labour unrest in the garment sector and other factors.
Business leaders also said the overall law and order situation, along with other uncertainties, was discouraging businesses from making new investment decisions.
Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group, a leading garment exporter, told TBS, “We had planned to increase our investment further. However, considering the overall situation, we have temporarily shelved that decision.”
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