Country's businessmen and economic analysts on Saturday strongly demanded to bring back money looted by S Alam Group from Islami Bank and bringing the culprits to justice.
They also stressed forming the new board of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC with the previous directors.
The business leaders made the statements at a discussion on Sharia-based Islamic banks held at a city hotel.
They strongly condemned the takeover of Islami banks with the direct support of the government and the loss of huge amount of money.
Economist prof Abu Ahmed attended the event as the chief guest while the former secretary of the government and the former chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Mohammad Abdul Majeed participated as the guest of honour.
Abdul Haque, former director of FBCCI and a renowned businessman in the automobile sector of the country, presided over the event.
The chief guest of the program, Professor Abu Ahmed, said that the victory achieved through the mass uprising of the students, now the customers of Islami Bank should be vocal to bring back the discipline of this bank. Islamic attitudes – individuals should be involved in the management and operations of Islamic banks.
While addressing, Mohammad Abdul Majeed said that the country’s SME sector as well as the country’s economy has been severely damaged through the forcible seizure of Islami Bank and the loss of a large amount of money. The remittance receipt rate has also dropped drastically.
He said that customers are the greatest strength of the bank; according to their demand, S Alam Group, which embezzled the money of this bank, should be brought under justice.
Customers from different parts of the country participated in the meeting.
They said that in case of import, Islami Bank used to get priority for LC opening, but now LC opening through Islami Bank is not being accepted.
Customers say that nearly 10 crore people of the country are directly and indirectly associated with Islami banks. About 80 lakh expatriates from the Middle East send remittances to the country through Islamic banks. But in the past years, the rate of remittances has decreased significantly due to the seizure of Islamic banks.
The speakers demanded rescheduling of bank loans for 10 years to those businessmen who have suffered financially in the past years.
The speakers proposed to have directors from among the bank’s customers on the board of Islami Bank.
They also demanded reinstatement of all competent and qualified sacked bank officials and cancellation of employment of around 10-15 thousand illegal employees.
The business leaders expressed their opinion on the immediate formation of the full committee of the proposed customer forum to bring back the lost glory of Islami Bank.
It was decided to form a ‘15-member customer forum’ by convening the former director of FBCCI, Abdul Haque.
This forum will work to protect the Islami Bank’s customers interests and will act as a watchdog to ensure that Islami Bank is being guided in the right direction for the welfare of the customers.
