SM Mannan Kochi, Secretary General-Dhaka North City, Awami League, is poised to be appointed as the new President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Currently serving as the Senior Vice President within the BGMEA's existing board, Mannan is slated to become the 20th president of this pivotal body representing apparel exporters.
Under Mannan's leadership, the Sammilito Parishad, a coalition he spearheads, achieved a sweeping victory in the BGMEA election for the 2024-2026 term. The coalition secured all 35 director positions, receiving votes from 90 per cent of BGMEA members, totaling 2,226 out of 2,496.
Held on March 09, 2024, the election witnessed the defeat of the Forum panel led by Faisal Samad, failing to secure any director positions. The polling stations in Dhaka and Chattogram saw high voter turnout, with 70 candidates vying for the 35 available director positions.
Notable contestants included three former presidents of the Dhaka Chamber, among whom Shams Mahamud emerged victorious while Asif Ibrahim and Osama Taseer faced defeat. Mannan Kochi contested for the presidency under the Sammilito Parishad, endorsed by outgoing president Faruque Hassan, while Faisal Samad led the Forum panel, supported by former president Rubana Huq.
Overseen by a three-member election board headed by Jahangir Alamin and an appellate board led by Kamran T Rahman, the BGMEA's election process commenced on December 4, 2023. The tenure of the current board, extended twice by the government, was originally set to conclude on April 12, 2023.
The Ministry of Commerce first extended the tenure by six months, followed by an additional extension of another six months, granting the present committee a total extension of one year.
