A committee consisting of 10 members from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has been formed to assist the newly appointed administrator of the trade body.
The BGMEA issued an office order on Thursday night, signed by its administrator Md Anwar Hossain, saying that, in accordance with Section 18(2)(a) of the Trade Organizations Act, 2022, a ‘Support Committee’ comprising BGMEA members has been established to help the administrator fulfil his responsibilities.
On October 20, the commerce ministry dissolved the BGMEA board and appointed Export Promotion Bureau Vice-Chairman Md Anwar Hossain as the administrator of the trade body.
Four days after his appointment, Anwar formed a 10-member committee, with equal representation from the BGMEA’s two traditional panels—Sammilita Parishad and Forum.
The members of the committee are: Md Shahidullah Azim of Classic Fashion Concept Ltd, Enamul Haque Khan Bablu of Ananta Clothing Ltd, Miran Ali of Misami Garments Ltd, M Mohiuddin Chowdhury of Clifton Fashion Ltd, and Asif Ashraf of Urmi Garments Ltd.
The remaining members include Rezwan Selim of Softex Cotton Ltd, ANM Saifuddin of MS Wearing Apparels Ltd, Md Shehab Udduza Chowdhury of Amity Design Ltd, Shams Mahmud of Shasha Garments Ltd, and Sharif Zahir of Ananta Apparels Ltd.
Shams Mahmud, a member of the newly formed support committee, said that numerous committees and projects exist in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector due to its involvement in international business, emphasising the importance of a support committee to sustain these activities.
He also stated that BGMEA offers various supports to its members and plays a crucial role in maintaining relationships with global buyers and other international stakeholders on a regular basis.
Shams Mahmud, the managing director of Shasha Denims Ltd, stated that politically neutral members have been appointed to the committee to safeguard the interests of both the Bangladesh RMG sector and the nation until holding the next elections of the trade body.
In the wake of significant political changes, including the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government following a mass uprising on August 5, a faction of BGMEA members called for Kochi’s resignation.
After the fall of the Awami League government, Kochi faced multiple legal cases, including one related to murder charges.
Having been elected BGMEA president on March 14 for the 2024-26 term, Kochi submitted his resignation to the BGMEA board on August 23, citing medical reasons.
In response, an emergency meeting of the BGMEA board of directors was held on August 24 at a hotel in Dhaka, where Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director of Designtex Group, was appointed as the new BGMEA president.
Furthermore, on October 20, the government dissolved the BGMEA board and appointed an administrator, instructing him to conduct a fair and neutral election within 120 days and hand over responsibilities to the newly elected committee of the trade body.