Mustafa Kamal, chairman of Meghna Group of Industries, one of the country's leading industrial groups, has alleged that gas and electricity are not available in two years despite investing $600 million in the Comilla Economic Zone.
Mustafa Kamal said, "Many people, including us, have invested in the Comilla Economic Zone (EZ). We have invested $600 million. However, we are not getting gas and electricity even in two years. We are calling on foreigners to invest. However, entrepreneurs in our own country are suffering from energy crisis. This must be seen seriously. Because electricity and gas are necessary for investment."
Mustafa Kamal, chairman of Meghna Group of Industries, said this at the 45th meeting of the NBR's advisory committee organized by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the top businessmen's organization FBCCI. He said that due to the strict supervision of the Ministry of Commerce, the prices of daily necessities were at an all-time low during Ramadan.
Financial Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed was the chief guest at the meeting held at the Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Wednesday. Also present are Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission Chairman Mainul Khan, among others. FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman is moderating.
Mustafa Kamal said that the FBCCI has said that the tax net should be increased. However, the reality is that those who pay taxes are under more tax pressure. After the political change, many bank accounts and tax documents are being searched. He requested the NBR to ensure that businessmen are not harassed by searching indiscriminately without specific allegations.
Demanding a reduction in duty on import of shipbuilding equipment, Mustafa Kamal said that the country's shipbuilding industry had a duty of 1 percent on equipment. Shipbuilding was declared an industry in 1996. A few months ago, the duty was increased to 7.5 percent. As a result, not a single ship has been purchased in the last five-six months. Last year, $780 million came from this sector. Reducing the duty on import of shipbuilding equipment to 1 percent would help increase employment and foreign exchange earnings.