Staff Correspondent

The leaders of the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh, (ICC-B) called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his office at the State Guest House Jamuna here today.

The business delegation, led by ICC-B President Mahbubur Rahman, greeted the Chief Adviser on his assumption of the leadership of the Interim Government, saying the country's businessmen fully support him in his new role, said a press release of CA Press Wing.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus thanked them and said his administration inherited an economic mess, but he was confident the situation would soon improve with the introduction of vital reforms.

"It's a very hard situation that we are in now. But it's also the biggest opportunity that we can get. Our job is difficult, but very much doable," he said.

Prof Yunus said if Bangladesh, as a nation, could collectively get over the mess, "we will have the world's attention".

"The world will look to us for inspiration, and the world will want to do more business with us," he said.

The ICC-B leaders urged the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate to carry out much needed reforms without a haste to bring back stability in the economy.

They said the previous government left the country in ruins. They said deep reforms and restructuring were needed in the banking sector, revenue administrations, education and industry.
"We are a witness to what happened over the last 15 years. The Bangladesh private sector is with you 100 percent," Mahbubur Rahman, the ICC-B President, said.

Prof Yunus asked the delegation "to think outside the box to achieve greatness as a nation". He said: "If we can make the young people's dream come true, we can make the nation's dream come true."

Senior business leaders, including FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, Tapan Chowdhury, Kutubuddin Ahmed, AK Azad, Simeen Rahman, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Fazlul Hoque and Mohammad Hatem, attended the meeting.