BGMEA AGM held without discussion on election

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) held its 40th annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday, with no discussion taking place over the formation of an election board to elect its leaders for 2023-25. 

The last biennial election in April 2021 had elected Faruque Hassan as president.

On April 13 this year, the commerce ministry extended by six months to October 12 the tenure of the current board of the largest trade body of the country representing the apparel industry.

As per conditions attached to the extension, a three-member election board and an appeal board with an equal number of members would have to be formed 90 days prior to the end of the extension.

This means the election board had to be set up by July 10. But it has not been formed yet.

In the AGM held at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka, the BGMEA members mainly discussed about the future of the garment sector as the election agenda was not on the associated notice, said BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim.

Moreover, the BGMEA president was not present as he had fallen sick. So, the election issue was not discussed, Azim said.

Sources said the commerce ministry may extend the tenure of the current board some more as many of the BGMEA members were not interested in going for the election before the national election.

BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi) chaired the AGM where the accounts for fiscal year 2021-22 were adopted and the budget for fiscal year 2022-23 was approved, said a BGMEA statement.

BGMEA Vice presidents (finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam and Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, directors and general members also attended the AGM.