The government has dissolved the current board of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and appointed Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman Md Anwar Hossain as the Administrator. The move follows allegations of irregularities in the August 24 board restructuring and fraud in BGMEA elections.
The Commerce Ministry issued a circular under Section 17 of the Trade Organizations Act, 2022, mandating Hossain to hold fresh elections within 120 days and transfer control to a newly elected board. The dissolved board faced accusations of failing to address complaints and unrest in the RMG sector, despite factories recently resuming normal operations.
Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director of Designtex Group, had been elected BGMEA president after the resignation of SM Mannan Kochi, who had led the organization since March. Kochi, linked to the former Awami League government, resigned amid protests, with allegations of fraud and political interference in the February BGMEA elections.
Md Anwar Hossain, a seasoned government official, previously served as EPB vice-chairman and wing chief in Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division. He will now oversee BGMEA’s upcoming election process.
