Economy
SM Mannan Kochi Elected President of BGMEA
SM Mannan Kochi, the Dhaka North City Secretary General of Awami League, secured victory in the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) elections, becoming the 20th president of the influential apparel exporters’ apex body. The Sammilito Parishad, led by Kochi, emerged victorious, winning all 35 director posts in the election held on March 9.
Kochi, currently serving as the senior vice president of BGMEA, received overwhelming support, with around 90% of BGMEA members casting their votes. The election, conducted peacefully, saw the Forum panel, led by Faisal Samad, failing to secure any director posts.
The voting process commenced at 10:00 am and concluded at 5:00 pm, with the subsequent start of vote counting at 6:00 pm. Jahangir Alamin, the chairman of the BGMEA election board for the 2024-26 term, confirmed the smooth conduct of the election.
In Dhaka, 1,839 out of 2,032 votes were cast, while in Chattogram, 387 out of 462 votes were recorded. A total of 70 candidates contested for the 35 director positions under the Sammilito Parishad and Forum panels, with 26 directors selected from Dhaka and nine from the Chattogram region.
Notably, three former Dhaka Chamber presidents participated in the election. Shams Mahamud secured a director post, while Asif Ibrahim and Osama Taseer faced defeat.
The BGMEA board of directors had formed a three-member election board, led by Jahangir Alamin, on December 4, 2023. Additionally, a three-member election appellate board, headed by Kamran T Rahman, President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), was established.
The BGMEA elections, held every two years, saw the tenure of the previous board extended by the government due to special circumstances. The current board’s tenure, extended twice, concluded on April 12, 2022, leading to the recent elections for the 2024-2026 term.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
