Business leaders in Chittagong yesterday urged the government to shift head offices of at least one nationalised commercial bank and three private commercial banks to the port city.
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Saifuzzaman Chowdhury made the demand at an exchange of views meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Salehuddin Ahmed in Chittagong.
The business leaders also urged the governor to withdraw restrictions on opening of letter of credit (LCs) as importers face sever crisis in importing capital machinery.
Such hindrance in import of capital machinery will ultimately cast negative impact on overall investment in the country, Saifuzzaman said.
The chamber president criticised the central bank's decision to increase the lending and interest rate.
He urged the BB governor to ensure sufficient supply of dollar on a priority basis in opening of LCs.
Salehuddin Ahmed said dollar crisis has almost disappeared as the central bank poured US$ 500 million into private commercial banks recently.
CCCI Senior Vice President SM Nurul Haque, Vice President MA Latif, First Vice President of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) SM Abu Taiyab and First Vice President of Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury also spoke.
