The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has taken initiative to provide safety equipment to healthcare professionals and other essential service workers in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, a press statement said yesterday.

In a letter to all the chambers and other association members of the apex business body, FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim said it is importing PPE and other necessary safety equipment as part of its series of effort to help the physicians, nurses and other essential service workers to fight against the deadly virus, the statement added.

Fahim in the letter urged all the chambers and other member organisations to come forward and work in coordination with local administration for ensuring a balanced distribution.  

“FBCCI consignment is on the way, it will arrive this month. Many individuals and companies have extended their support to our initiatives,” Fahim said.  

Recognising the vital role of the country’s private sector, he said under the current situation businesses have come forward again.

He said most of the chambers and associations, including Sunamganj Chamber and REHAB, have already contributed for food for the poor and procurement of the PPE.  

The FBCCI has 79 chambers and 377 trade and industrial associations as its members while it has partnership with 20 joint chambers across the world.

While the coronavirus is wrecking havocs across the globe, Bangladesh has confirmed 48 cases of infection and 15 of them recovered and five died.