DHAKA: Businesspeople on Wednesday demanded the ban of hartal and blockade for 20 years in the country by making law for accelerating development of the country.

They made the call from a rally organized against the BNP-led 20-party alliance-enforced ongoing blockade for indefinite period across the country.

The rally was held in front of the top RMG organization Bangladesh Garment Manufacturing and Exporters Association (BGMEA) building in city’s Karwan Bazar area.

Country’s top business organization Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) vice-president Helal Uddin at the rally said that economy of the country is in dire condition due to the current political unrest.

He said, “We are demanding the ban of hartal and blockade for next 20 years by making law.”

BGMEA president Atiqul Islam remarked that whenever the country’s garment industries try to stand back, the political situation turns unrest.

According to him, about 30 percent of RMG orders have been decreased due to the ongoing political turmoil.

Addressing the rally, Export Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Abdus Salam Murshedy said, “We want to do business peacefully. Political crisis should be solved politically. You (political leaders) should not annoy businesspeople.”

Former advisor to the caretaker government Tapan Chowdhury commented that politicians should not impose any program that hampers the economy of the country.

Holding the banners of over 40 labor and business organizations, several hundred people attended the rally chaired by BGMEA president Atiqul Islam.

BDST: 1600 HRS, JAN 28, 2015