Sunday, April 28, 2024
For the first time, Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) is going to hold an election to choose leaders for making the organisation smart and dynamic to provide all out support to its members to overcome the existing challenges and march forward.
To compete in the election for the period of 2024-26, with the support of former presidents and like-minded members a panel titled “Election for Unity” announced in a programme on Thursday.
Former BGAPMEA president Abdul Kader Khan announced the panel name and leader.
Managing Director of Adzi Trims Ltd, a sister concern of Indet Group, Md Shahriar will lead the panel in the next election to be held on May 11, 2024.
Kader said, “In my tenure, we have made the sector most effective and work for the members. To take the sector to the next level, an efficient leader like Shahriar is very crucial. Our guidance and blessings will be with him and he will make the industry more disciplined and modern.
“He is well connected to members and the younger generation are actively working for the country,” he added.
Former president of BGAPMEA Rafez Alam Chowdhury, Iqbal Hossain, Safiullah Chowdhury, were present among the others.
Shahriar is a former director of BGAPMEA, co-chairman - Backward Linkage at the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and general secretary of Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (BAYLA).
Besides the dynamic leadership in several trade organisations, Shahriar is actively engaged in various social and humanitarian organisations. As an entrepreneur Shahriar has mastered the art of running an organisation successfully with more than 15 years of wide-range experiences within the apparel trims and accessories.
For his outstanding contribution in exports of trim and accessories items, Shahriar was awarded Youth Entrepreneur Award 2022, BGAPMEA. He also received The Bizz Entrepreneurial Award 2023 and was named in JCI TOYP (ten outstanding young persons of Bangladesh) -2021.
Former president of BGAPMEA Rafez Alam Chowdhury said “The sector is growing but we are suffering due to proper leadership. We have to survive and overcome the challenges for further growth. Customs, tax related issues are creating problems in doing business.
“To deal with these types of issues we need dynamic leaders. I hope Shahriar is capable enough. We will make the sector vibrant as the organization smart and member oriented,” he added.
Another former BGAPMEA president Safiullah Chowdhury said “To overcome the present crisis and difficulties, we need an elected president and from our perspective, as a young entrepreneur Shahriar will be the best choice.”
Shahidullah Azim, vice president of BGMEA said “It is high time to bring a second generation in leadership as the sector has matured and is going global in new areas. Shahriar is Knowledge-able and popular to business people for his business friendly attitude. He will best fit for the leadership.”
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Executive President Mohammad Hatem said “Md Shahriar is a talented entrepreneur and has profound knowledge about the latest trend of accessories and technologies. Garment accessories sector plays a pivotal role in RMG exports and helped us to reduce lead time supplying goods.
“We will provide necessary support to work with the apparel sector and he is already proven to us as an efficient and dynamic person,” Hatem added.
Abrar Hossain Sayem, newly elected director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said “Working with Shahriar, I found him supportive and collaborative in all aspects. He is popular both to young and first experienced first-generation businessmen for his sincerity and commitment.
“I believe he will be able to take the accessories sector to a new height and raise voice for its members to bargain with the policy makers. Our support for him to work together to grow further will continue,” said Sayem, also president of Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (BAYLA).
On February 13, the BGAPMEA declared a schedule for election and formed a board to conduct a poll for the 2024-26 period to be held on May 11, 2024.
The election board will be headed by BPAA, Deputy Secretary (Admin-5) Ministry of Commerce Dr Md Razzaqul Islam. Other members of the board are Deputy Secretary (Budget) Ashrafur Rahman and Deputy Secretary (Export-Wing) Ministry of Commerce Tania Islam.
