Anisul Huq, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, on Tuesday speaking at a meeting with business leaders organised by Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre to promote ADR held at a city hotel. Censuring the country’s burdensome court litigation process, Chairman of BIAC Mahbubur Rahman on Tuesday said this is viewed as an “impediment” to the private sector development. “A fundamental requirement for trade and investment to flourish is quick and cost-effective methods to resolve commercial and investment disputes,” he said. He was speaking at a meeting on the “Role of BIAC in promotion of ADR.” He said the institutions like Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC) provide this option to businesses. According to the latest data, around 3.0 million cases are now lying pending in different courts of Bangladesh. Mr Rahman, also president of International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh, noted that large amount of public and private capitals were stuck in these disputes. These pending cases create stagnation in the economy and lower investors’ confidence. He further stated that the government has demonstrated its commitment to ease case logjam in courts by amending Civil Procedure Code in 2012. But the amendment is not yet put into operation. Rules formulated to apply this amendment remain yet to be approved. In response, the Law Minister has narrated the steps taken by the government in implementing ADR in the country effectively. Anisul Huq, Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, was present in this interactive meeting with the business leaders and eminent jurists as the chief guest. He felicitated the BIAC in supplementing the government’s initiative in implementing ADR as well as providing training in Arbitration and Mediation. He noted the government is working on formulating rules for implementing changes in the Civil Procedure Code introducing mandatory mediation provisions. “We are looking for ways to provide a role to ADR institutions, such as BIAC in these rules,” he said. Among others, President of FBCCI Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Secretary Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs Division Mohammad Shahidul Haque, Secretary Law & Justice Division Abu Saleh Sheikh Md. Zahirul Haque, Former Secretary & former Adviser to the caretaker governments Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Rokia Afzal Rahman and President of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association Tapan Choudhury, former presidents of FBCCI Mir Nasir Hossain, A K Azad, Justice Awlad Ali, eminent lawyer Barrister Rafiq Ul Huq, Ajmalul Hossain QC and Barrister Nihad Kabir, president of DCCI Hossain Khaled, former president of DCCI Matiur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Insurance Association Sheikh Kabir Hossain, Managing Director of Mutual Trust Bank Anis A Khan, Managing Director of BRAC Bank Syed Mahbubur Rahman, former president of BKMEA Fazlul Haque and KAFCO CEO Dr. Toufiq Ali spoke at the meeting and extended their full support for implementation of mandatory ADR provisions incorporated in Civil Procedure Code. They also urged the government to help resolve commercial disputes through ADR and help business to flourish and avoid complicated and time consuming court procedure.
