Sources concerned said also issues like power crisis, rise of the 'so-called third force to destroy the garment industry' and reopening of Benapole port will figure prominently in the discussion.

The businessmen in the country have taken such an initiative for the first time in recent times.

BGMEA President Anisul Huq said that they had been planning to organise such a programme in a cordial atmosphere with the presence of the top leaders of the two main parties for long.

"It is undoubtedly a pleasant sign that the leaders of both the ruling party and the main opposition party responded positively to the initiative taken by the BGMEA," he told the BDNEWS.

The businessmen think that the initiative, taken by BGMEA would help build convergence of opinion between the two parties on different issues. But it is not a political initiative, they added.

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil along with central leaders of their parties will participate in the Iftar.

Both Bhuiyan and Jalil have given their consent to attend the programme.

"We are very happy. Both the leaders along with other key party-men have agreed to join our programme," Anisul Huq said.

He said political relation between the ruling and opposition parties will improve gradually. But this is not a political initiative, he added.

Anisul Huq, referring to such programmes in previous years, said if needed, the BGMEA will also hold programmes where leaders of both the parties can exchange views.

Sources said the scheduled date for holding Iftar Party was on October 27. However, the BGMEA shifted the date to October 30 to ensure participation of both the parties. A total of 22 lawmakers involved in garment industry will also join the programme.

Editors of the print and electronic media, leaders of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Asso-ciation (BTMA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) will also join the Iftar party.