Suspend the ongoing eviction drive, urges trade body

round_783Suspend the ongoing eviction drive against commercial structures in differential residential areas of the city in the greater interest of hospitality businesses, providing necessary legal coverage by enacting new laws.

The call was made by Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, FBCCI while formally presenting the Dhaka Declaration and Charter of Demand to Rashed Khan Menon, Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, at the conclusion of a roundtable discussion at FBCCI’s conference room in Motijheel in the city on Sunday.

The declaration highlighted the concern expressed by different leading trade bodies regarding the eviction of so called illegal establishments.

The Hotel, Guesthouse and Restaurant Owners’ Association of Bangladesh and the Tour Operators’ Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) organised the roundtable on the “Socio-economic impact of the Current Eviction Drive against Hospitality Establishments and Other Entities from Residential Areas of Dhaka City and its Adverse Effects on the Tourism Industry.” Taufiq Uddin Ahmed, President, TOAB, presided over the meeting.

The leader of the country’s apex trade body also promised to resolve problems faced by commercial establishments in residential areas. Abdul Matlub Ahmad said a powerful committee led by the FBCCI will be formed to resolve permanently and peacefully the problems created by the eviction drive.

MH Rahman, Adviser of Hotel and Guesthouse Association, in his keynote paper said, “The hotels, guesthouses and restaurants operating in city’s residential areas pay about Tk. 4.0 billion as VAT and all utility bills at commercial rate.”

“Billions of taka have been invested to set up and bring these international-standard tourist friendly establishments.”

“In 28 hospitality establishments in Gulshan alone Tk. 20 billion is learnt to have been invested of which Tk.6.0 billion is bank loan. These establishments have created employment opportunity for more than 100,000 workers, who earn livelihood for a minimum of 1,000,000 people who are dependent on them. A similar number of people are also linked to these establishments as vendors and outsource service providers.”

“Not only will the investors and financial institutions would suffer, but the country’s hospitality industry as a whole will also sustain irredeemable loss,” he said.

“Those who had taken bank loan to construct/develop those buildings, may be compelled to become loan defaulters and redemption of their mortgaged properties will be at high risk.”

Other speakers noted that people living in Dhaka city are human beings and they need a host of basic facilities and amenities that they can easily access and enjoy as a part of their daily life.

Gone are the days of 60s or 70s when a particular area was earmarked as “residential,” “commercial” or “industrial.” ‘Smart City’ concept includes all services at a walking distance.

No area in the city or other urban areas can now be strictly earmarked for “living” only, they said, adding, some non-residential activities will have to be there for education, socialisation, entertainment, rest and recreation of the residents.

So, the hospitality establishments, which by no means create any environmental issue, are to be treated as an essentially desirable part of a “Smart City,” which is the concept of modern-day living, they said.

Business establishment owners said, “Most of the entities under the association have already ensured additional security including establishment of archways, metal detectors and close circuit cameras. Additional security guards are also appointed for the sake of ensuring security.”

Rashed Khan Menon suggested the businesses to discuss the measures with the government. He said the drive was not something new that started following the militant attack. “The Cabinet made the decision one and a half years ago. The issue was supposed to be settled one step at a time,” he said.

Earlier a touching video was presented in which hospitality professionals, from the security guards to the Managing Directors, highlighted the severe impact the eviction drive would cause to not only on tourism, hospitality, the country’s economy but also to their daily lives.”

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