Chamber leaders & businessmen think the concept of a public private pertnership (PPP) budget in encouraging, as the local investors would have opportunities to participate in the development of infrastructures for smooth running of businesses. Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his pre-budget parleys with different stakeholders, including FBCCI & MCCI, made an assurance that a substantial amount of fund would be earmarked for PPP in the upcoming budget to execut power & other uplift projects. Complaints over the nagging power & gas crisis from the industrial sector ar piling up at different ministries & govt agencies. Thriving industries, especially the readymade garments (RMG) sector, are suffering due to the absence of such facilities. "In fact we placed the proposal to execute projects on PPP basis to ensure better management" said Annisul Huq, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry, pointing to the present weak state of infrastructure, a major impediment to industrial growth. "We can at least start a few projects under the PPP fund to see whether the option is feasible or not" he said. "In some cases, the government can also be a partner by providing fallow land for development. But the govt must give a very viable policy framework for making the PPP concept effective " the FBCCI chief added. Welcoming the idea Abdul Hafiz Chaudhury president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) said the govt should formulate a guideline in this connection first. The PPP fund could pay dividends in several ways, as the total fund is an internal resource, he said. "The govt should come up with such proposals as many local investors have idle money to spare" Mr Chaudhury added. Welcoming a PPP budget, Abdus Salam Murshedy president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) said "The govt should go for short, mid & long term solutions to power crisis". MA Awal chairman of Prime Group of Industries, one of the leading textile & RMG manufacturers said the govt can buy 500 Mega Watt of power within a year from the industry owners' captive power plants by using such funds. Fazlul Hoque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA) said the govt can at least start some pilot projects under the PPP fund, & if it work, major projects can then be undertaken. "Of course the concept is encouraging as the involvement of the local investors in development process is ensured" Mr Hoque said.
---REFAYET ULLAH MIRDHA
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