The Ministry of Commerce has extended the tenure of Md Anwar Hossain, vice chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau, as the administrator of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association for an additional four months.
The extension, effective from February 17 to June 16, 2025, was made in response to an incomplete election process, according to a notification issued by the ministry recently.
Anwar Hossain was appointed BGMEA鈥檚 administrator through a ministry memorandum on October 20 to hold a fair and neutral election within 120 days. Although an election schedule was announced, it wasn鈥檛 completed on time due to unforeseen circumstances.
The decision to extend the administrator鈥檚 tenure was made following his application for an extension. The ministry cited the need for a properly conducted election under Section 17 of the Trade Organisations Act, 2022.
The ministry directive also assured that a new board of directors of the BGMEA must be elected at least 15 days before the extended tenure expires, ensuring a seamless leadership transition.
Earlier, on October 20, after dissolving the Rafiqul Islam-led board of directors of the BGMEA, the commerce ministry appointed Md Anwar Hossain as administrator of the BGMEA.
The recent notification stated that a new board, led by Rafiqul Islam, was formed after SM Mannan Kochi resigned from the BGMEA as its chairman. However, the creation of the board was stated to be flawed.
Kochi was elected the BGMEA president on March 14 for the 2024-26 term and tendered his resignation to the BGMEA board on August 23, citing medical reasons.
In response, an emergency meeting of the BGMEA board of directors was convened on August 24 at a hotel in Dhaka鈥檚 capital.