Bangladesh Government has taken the step of appointing an administrator to oversee the Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) for a period of six months. The purpose of this appointment is to facilitate the organisation of a new executive committee through an election process for the trade body.
Given that the trade body was experiencing operational issues, the Ministry of Commerce issued an order recently designating Mohammad Moshiur Rahman, a senior assistant secretary, as the administrator. The office order, issued by Maleka Khayrunnessa, the director general of the Trade Organization Wing within the Ministry of Commerce, cited Section 17 of the Trade Organization Act 2022 as the basis for appointing the administrator. His role includes overseeing the day-to-day activities of the trade body and ensuring the completion of the election process for its executive committee.
Furthermore, the administrator has been tasked with creating an accurate voter list and overseeing the election of the BGAPMEA’s executive committee within the specified timeframe. Once this process is completed, the administrator is to transfer responsibilities to the duly elected representatives and inform the ministry accordingly.
The situation leading up to this appointment began on 8th August, when Mohammad Belal, the first vice-president of BGAPMEA, sent a letter to the Ministry of Commerce alleging that the president of the trade body, Mohammad Moazzem Hossain Moti, had renewed his membership using fraudulent documents. In response to this allegation, the trade organisation wing conducted a hearing on the activities of the trade body on 3rd September.
Following the hearing, the Ministry of Commerce issued a show-cause notice to BGAPMEA on 11th September, requesting an explanation within seven working days as to why an administrator should not be appointed. In its response on 14th September, BGAPMEA stated that Mohammad Moazzem Hossain Moti had been removed from his position in accordance with the decision made during the 3rd September hearing, with Mohammad Belal assuming the role of president.
