"We will observe the programme between 12:00 noon and 12:15pm in front of our office at Motijheel," FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain told reporters after an emergency meeting of its board of directors yesterday.

Failure of the caretaker government to solve the current political stalemate has forced us to announce the programme, said the FBCCI president.

He urged the chief adviser to create a level playing ground for all the major political parties to ensure a credible election.

The meeting witnessed a heated debate over the FBCCI's role during the current political situation which some of the members alleged was due to the chief adviser's tilt towards a political party, sources said.

A few board members also pressed the FBCCI president to be more vocal against the activities of the caretaker government.

The meeting decided to form a committee to estimate the total loss of businesses due to the volatile political situation. The committee will have to submit the report within two weeks of its formation, sources said.

The business leaders expressed deep concern over the situation at Chittagong port and said the government should pay the surcharge imposed by the feeder operators.

They also urged the political leaders to keep Chittagong port free from future political programmes.

The FBCCI leaders felt the government should waive interest rates on export-import activities to assist them overcome the losses.