BGMEA forms election boards for 2025-27 term polls

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has formed two election boards to oversee the elections for its board of directors and office bearers for the 2025-2027 term.

On 27 February, BGMEA Administrator Md Anwar Hossain sent a letter to the director general of the Directorate of Trade Organisations (DTO) under the Ministry of Commerce, requesting necessary steps to facilitate the upcoming biennial elections.

According to the letter, two boards have been formed for the elections – the Election Board and the Election Appellate Board.

Mohammad Iqbal, a former additional secretary, will chair the Election Board, with Barrister Syed Afzal Hasan Uddin and Ashraf Ahmed, former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serving as members.

Nasim Monzur, former president of the Bangladesh Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association, will chair the Election Appellate Board. Rupali Haque Chowdhury, former president of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and former additional secretary Kudrat-e-Khuda will serve as members.

The BGMEA administrator also stated in the letter that Abu Mukhles Alamgir Hossain, director (policy and planning) at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), will serve as the secretary to the Election Appellate Board in accordance with the Election Rules and Procedures.

The second letter was also shared with the DTO.

On 20 October, the government appointed Md Anwar Hossain, vice chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), as the administrator of the BGMEA to oversee the elections within 120 days and ensure a free and fair process.

Later, the Ministry of Commerce extended his tenure for another 120 days.

Babu, Kalam named as panel leaders

BGMEA members typically contest its biennial elections under two panels – Sammilita Parishad and Forum.

Forum, BGMEA's election-centric alliance, has officially announced its panel leader for the upcoming elections.

Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, managing director of Rising Fashions, will lead Forum in the contest for leadership of the BGMEA.

Forum introduced its panel leader to industry stakeholders at an event in Dhaka on 20 November.

Sammilita Parishad, a panel of registered BGMEA members, has selected Abul Kalam, managing director of Chaity Group and vice president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), as its panel leader.

On 28 November, former presidents of Sammilita Parishad introduced its panel leader to industry stakeholders at an event at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dhaka.