Kamruzzaman Bablu :
More than three months after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime, the interim government has dissolved the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) board of directors and appointed EPB Vice-Chairman Md Anwar Hossain as its administrator.
On October 20, the Commerce Ministry issued a circular to this effect under Section 17 of the Trade Organizations Act, 2022.
The circular says the administrator will hold a free and fair election within 120 days and then hand over responsibilities to the newly elected body.
In the line with the circular, Sammilito Parishad, the leading panel of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), brings a major change to its leadership for the upcoming election. The panel has chosen Abul Kalam, Managing Director of Chaity Group, as the top leader to contest the poll to be held soon, said insiders.
In the run up to the BGMEA poll, Sammilito Parishad held an event in the capital on Thursday where Parishad President Kazi Moniruzzaman announced the name of Md Abul Kalam as panel leader in the presence of past BGMEA presidents and panel leaders.
They all congratulated Abul Kalam on his nomination as the panel leader and wished his victory in the poll.
At the event, past presidents and leaders of the Sammilito Parishad spoke about the contribution of the panel to the development of the country’s RMG sector.
They also said that they will work to address the ongoing challenges of the sector, including labour issues, wages issues, energy and fuel issues, ports, NBR and customs issues and other challenges if they win the upcoming BGMEA election.
“At this moment, the sector needs law and order, financial support to sustain export activities, and an adequate supply of gas and electricity to keep the industry running,” Abul Kalam said.
“We are optimistic that, with the government’s support, we can find solution to the crises the sector has been facing,” he added.
Mr Kalam established Chaity Group in 1991, making it one of Bangladesh’s leading garments and textiles industries.
Kalam also has experience in leading the apparel exporters’ organization as a director during the 2011-13 tenure. He also served as president of Uttara Club twice, during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 tenures. On August 24, Designtex Group Managing Director Khandoker Rafiqul Islam was elected as the president of BGMEA following the resignation of SM Mannan Kochi.
Kochi was elected BGMEA president on March 14 for the 2024-26 term.
Meanwhile, on November 20, Forum, another election-centric panel of the BGMEA, named Rising Fashion Managing Director Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu as panel leader for the upcoming BGMEA election.
