Bangladesh government dissolves BGMEA board

Bangladesh’s interim government has dissolved the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) board of directors, appointing Md Anwar Hossain from the Export Promotion Bureau as administrator.

The decision, based on Section 17 of the Trade Organisation Act 2022, follows complaints raised by general members about poor leadership and alleged election irregularities. The government issued a circular on 20 October, instructing Hossain to organize a “free and fair” election within 120 days.

S.M. Mannan (Kochi) resigned as BGMEA president in August, citing health reasons, coinciding with political transitions and the formation of a new interim government. Khandoker Rafiqul Islam was unanimously elected as the new BGMEA president, but concerns about the election process emerged, including allegations of vote rigging and poor coordination within the board.

The BGMEA has faced criticism for failing to support garment industry owners amid political unrest and flooding, leading to further calls for the board’s dissolution. The board has also been accused of fostering political ambitions rather than serving the interests of its members.

Local media and former BGMEA leaders have condemned the organization’s transformation into a “power factory” for politicians, suggesting that business interests have been overshadowed by personal and political gains over the past decade. The country’s garment industry, meanwhile, has reportedly lost around $400 million due to labor unrest in recent months.