Abul Kalam, Managing Director of Chaity Group, has been named the panel leader of the Sammilito Parishad for the upcoming Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) elections. The announcement was made during a significant event on Thursday, where past presidents and leaders of the Sammilito Parishad were present. Kazi Moniruzzaman, the current president of the Parishad, introduced Kalam as the new panel leader.
Abul Kalam founded Chaity Group in 1991, which has since become a prominent player in Bangladesh’s garment and textiles industry. He previously served as a director of the apparel exporters’ organisation from 2011 to 2013 and held the presidency of Uttara Club during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 terms.
In his address, Kalam emphasised the sector’s pressing needs, stating, “At this moment, the sector needs law and order, financial support to sustain export activities, and an adequate supply of gas and electricity to keep the industry running.” He expressed optimism that if their panel is elected to lead the association, solutions could be found with Government backing.
During the event, former presidents and leaders of the Sammilito Parishad spoke about the panel’s contributions to the development of the country’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector. Should they win the BGMEA election, they committed to addressing ongoing challenges such as labor issues, wages, energy and fuel shortages, and matters related to ports, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and customs.
This election comes in the wake of significant changes in the BGMEA’s governance. On 20th October, the local government disbanded the BGMEA’s board of directors and appointed Md Anwar Hossain, the Vice-Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), as its administrator. A circular issued by the Commerce Ministry under Section 17 of the Trade Organizations Act, 2022, mandates that the administrator will conduct a free and fair election within 120 days, after which responsibilities will be transferred to the newly elected body.
