BM Desk Desk : In an interview with a private television channel in Washington, D.C., the Economic Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said that “the capital market is on the right track. The stock market is one of our major focuses because we don’t want to remain dependent on banks.”
At the same time, he added, “Not everyone who is protesting is a genuine investor. Those who were making money before but are unable to do so now are the ones protesting for their own interests. They are the ones who committed theft in the stock market.”
Rejecting this statement from the Economic Advisor, the Bangladesh Capital Market Investor Association (BCMIA) an organization of general investors—has issued an open letter.
The letter, signed by BCMIA President S.M. Iqbal Hossain and General Secretary Md. Nurul Islam Manik, declares the rejection of the advisor’s remarks.
In the open letter, it is stated that the BCMIA, established by ordinary investors, has been working for the overall welfare of Bangladesh’s capital market since its inception.
The organization’s primary objective is “to protect the interests of investors in the capital market.”
To that end, BCMIA has been implementing various programs involving investors and all stakeholders related to the capital market.
The letter also claims that BCMIA has gained acceptance at all levels of the state by organizing stakeholders and presenting logical demands.
It further states that when the Economic Advisor was asked by a journalist in Washington, D.C. about the current condition of the capital market, he avoided responsibility for his own failures and instead made false accusations against the organizations leading the investor movement.
Such unsubstantiated and misleading statements from someone in a high government position have created public dissatisfaction.
The association demands that state intelligence agencies verify the accuracy of his claims.A responsible advisor making such irresponsible and false remarks is strongly condemned and rejected by BCMIA.
Regrettably, he has been making assumptions and spreading rumors for nearly a year instead of taking responsibility for his and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission’s (BSEC) failures.
To date, no allegations of corruption have been made against any responsible representative of BCMIA.
We state clearly that our organization does not act to implement anyone’s personal agenda.
Our movement is for the rights of general investors and the establishment of good governance.
The letter also warns that if false accusations against the protesting organizations continue, BCMIA will announce strict programs on the streets.
Concluding the letter, the BCMIA President and General Secretary said:“We unequivocally declare that BCMIA will always speak out against all injustice, corruption, and unethical activities that go against public interest. Finally, we express our gratitude to the government, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, electronic and print media, and the people of the country. Let us all walk together on the path of good governance, reform, and national development.”
