Extortion increased by 20-50% during the interim government: Dhaka Chamber

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskin Ahmed said that extortion has increased in the country during the interim government. He made this allegation at a press conference at the DCCI office in Motijheel in the capital on Monday (February 23). Taskin Ahmed said, “After the fall of the Awami League government, extortion has increased by 20 to 50 percent in the country.”

In response to a question from journalists about who is doing the extortion, the chamber president said, “Many people, including people from the ruling party, police and revenue officials, do extortion.”

The press conference was organized by DCCI under the title “Expectations from the newly formed government to deal with the existing economic situation.”

He said, “The government has to find out who is doing the extortion. They come and say, we are from the government party. Whenever the government comes, they say that we are from the government party; we have to pay the extortion. We have this program, we have to pay this subscription for the neighborhood.’

Commenting that extortion and corruption are in our blood, Taskin Ahmed said, ‘If extortion is not stopped, we will close our business and leave. Complaining that extortion is also required to enter the factory, this business leader said, ‘Extortion is required in the office and on the street. We expect a strong message from the new government to stop extortion and corruption.’

In the main article, the DCCI President mentioned that four issues should be given priority for the realistic development of the existing economic situation. First, ensuring the improvement of the law and order situation and completely stopping extortion. Second, establishing corruption-free and transparent management in the government sector to restore the confidence of investors.

The third priority, he said, is to help those who are not intentional loan defaulters to restart their businesses by providing them with the necessary ‘working capital’ (working capital). And bringing the interest rate on loans to a reasonable and tolerable level.

Currently, he demanded that bank interest rates are relatively high, and said, "In the coming days, if there is more coordination between economic policymaking and political decision-making, the economy will be stable." The DCCI president said, "Even after August 2024, there has been corruption in the country like during the Awami government. Corruption has not stopped for a day. Rather, it has increased in some areas."

"Police, administration, income tax office - corruption is everywhere. If these are not stopped, the economy will not be able to reach its desired goal. And if extortion is not stopped, we will have to close our businesses."

Noting that transport workers have blocked roads in Trishal, Mymensingh against extortion, he said, "The business community is against extortion. The people also do not want extortion."

Taskeen Ahmed, highlighting the incident of firing during sand extraction from the Meghna River the previous day, said, "Firing is also happening to prevent extortion. The people want this government to stop extortion.’

Advising to list good quality companies in the capital market to reduce dependence on bank loans, the DCCI president said that profitable government companies can be listed directly by creating a green channel.

Dhaka Chamber demanded the disclosure of trade-related clauses in the tariff agreement with the United States at a press conference.