Seha Design Ltd Chairman SM Mannan Kochi has been elected as the president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the 2024-2026 term, with Well Designers Ltd Managing Director Syed Nazrul Islam appointed as the first vice president.
Additionally, Managing Director of Designtex Knitwear Ltd, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, has been elected as the senior vice president of the esteemed trade body within Bangladesh's garment industry. The BGMEA Election Board officially declared these appointments on Thursday.
Other newly elected vice presidents include Tusuka Fashions Ltd Chairman Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Managing Director of Sadma Fashion Wear Ltd, Md Nasir Uddin, Managing Director of Misami Garments Ltd, Miran Ali, Managing Director of 4A Yarn Dyeing Limited, Abdullah Hil Rakib, and Managing Director of HKC Apparels Ltd, Rakibul Alam Chowdhury.
BGMEA sources have confirmed that the incoming board will assume office following the conclusion of the current board's tenure on 6 April. Of the 35 directors, 26 will be selected from the Dhaka region, with the remaining nine from Chattogram.
The biennial election, held on 9 March at the BGMEA Complex in the capital, saw the participation of two panels—Sammilito Parishad and Forum.
Sammilito Parishad, led by SM Mannan, secured all 35 votes for directorial positions. A total of 70 candidates vied for the 35 director positions across both panels. The voting turnout stood at 89.18% in both Dhaka and Chattogram regions.
During the polls, 1,839 out of 2,032 votes were cast in the Dhaka centre, representing approximately 90.5% of the city's total votes. In Chattogram, 387 out of 462 votes were cast, accounting for around 83.4% of the total votes in the region.