Sunday, May 05, 2024
Ruling Awami League’s Dhaka City North unit General Secretary SM Mannan Kochi has been elected as the president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the 2024-26 tenure, while Khandkar Rafiqul Islam elected senior vice president.
According to the revised schedule of 2024-2026 BGMEA polls, March 14 was the submission date for nomination papers, selection, and publication of the final list of candidates. Only eight candidates submitted their nomination papers against eight respective positions.
As a result, the winners clinched uncontested victories for the posts.
Other office bearers are – First Vice President [reserved for Chattogram] Syed Nazrul Islam, vice Presidents [reserved for Dhaka] Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Md Nasir Uddin, Miran Ali, Abdullah Hill Rakib, and vice president [reserved for Chattogram] Rakibul Alam Chowdhury.
The new committee will take over the responsibility from the existing board led by Faruque Hassan at the annual general meeting of BGMEA on April 6 this year, association sources say.
The newly elected President Kochi expressed his immediate priority as to celebrate Eid with nearly four million workers of the readymade garment sector.
Kochi said, “We have implemented a new wage board in December last year, and we are navigating through a critical period due to the on-going global economic headwinds. I will do my best to ensure that the workers get their salaries and Eid bonuses on time.
“I also want to work with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to reduce harassment and resolve HS Code issues.”
On March 9, in BGMEA Election, Sammilito Parishad – led by Seha Designs BD Ltd Managing Director SM Mannan Kochi – clinched a clean sweep victory at the biennial election for 2024-26, bagging all 35 directorship positions.
