Death Marketing-1

BATB’s Leadership in the Country’s Business Associations!

The more tobacco you sell; the more death you cause. This is why British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) is nothing but a merchant of death. BATB is currently involving itself with several prestigious business organizations of Bangladesh to expand its death-marketing. Contrary to BATB’s agenda, different associations of businesses in Bangladesh have long been contributing to the development of the private sector in both businesses and industries and also been upholding the betterment of the consumers at the same time. But the leadership of BATB in these highly prestigious organizations poses a threat to public health and the overall economy of Bangladesh. Recently, in an investigation conducted by Tobacco Industry Watch BD Team@PROGGA, it has been revealed that a number of high officials from BATB are occupying some leading positions in top business associations, the sub-committees and wings of these associations and other institutions that deal with trade-related issues. Currently, BATB has representatives holding positions of immense importance such as the Director of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the Vice-President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) and the President of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Moreover, BATB has a representative as Director in the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC), under the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance. Two BATB officials have been designated as Director General and Treasurer of Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh (IPAB). High-level representatives from different ministries of the government are also in the executive committee of IPAB. BATB’s sole purpose of occupying these positions is to expand its business and to influence different government policies, including the national budget through these organizations. For example, BATB representatives managed to get the opportunity to attend the pre-budget meetings for the budget of FY 2018-19 and to raise their demands to the government. If this situation persists, the Prime Minister’s plan to transform Bangladesh into a tobacco-free country will surely fail.