Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) has elected a new 16-member Board of Directors for the 2024–2026 term, with Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan appointed as its president.

The election process, held on October 27 and November 6, saw strong member engagement, with a voter turnout of 61.98 per cent from a membership base of 313, including 71 Japanese companies.

Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan, managing director of NewVision Solutions Limited, assumes the presidency after serving as JBCCI’s secretary general for three consecutive terms.

His leadership is expected to strengthen ties between Japanese and Bangladeshi businesses.

Maria Howlader was elected as JBCCI’s first female secretary general. A board member for two consecutive terms, Maria’s election signals a progressive shift in the Chamber’s leadership.

Maria currently holds the position of vice-president at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).

She is also the managing partner and founder of Howlader Maria & Co. (HmAC) Chartered Accountants, a member firm of KRESTON Global.

Kenji Kimura, Chief Representative of MUFG Bank’s Dhaka Office, was elected Treasurer.

MUFG Bank, Japan’s largest bank and a member of the Mitsubishi Group, is a prominent Japanese institution in Bangladesh.

The election was overseen by a three-member Election Board led by AKM Kamrul Islam, Bangladesh’s First Banking Ombudsman.

A three-member Election Appeal Board, chaired by Abdul Mazid, former Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), provided additional oversight.

This new leadership team is set to guide JBCCI in furthering bilateral trade and investment between Japan and Bangladesh over the next two years.