The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leadership selection is slated for September this year. According to sources, two leading panels are engaged in hectic negotiations to ensure that no other panels or candidates vie for any post in the elections. This is after arriving at a consensus about selecting the next BGMEA leadership. Sammilita Parishad and Forum, are the two forums that have already reached a consensus and have decided to share posts among themselves without elections. However, many members of the trade body have expressed their resentment towards this move.

In the polls to be held on September 8, a total of 35 directors will be elected from the Dhaka and Chittagong zones. These directors will further select the President and seven Vice-Presidents of the trade body for the next two-year term. Sammilita Parishad leader Siddiqur Rahman would be the President and it will also get four Vice-President posts, while Forum would get three Vice-President posts, according to negotiations.

BGMEA eirector however, stated that despite negotiations over sharing posts between the two panels, some members might contest for the posts individually as they (the members) have raised questions over the accountability of the leaders who will be selected. He further expressed fear that if the democratic right of the members for choosing their leadership goes, general members would be deprived of services.

According to Abdus Salam Murshedy, a former BGMEA President, all the past presidents of the trade body and the two platforms of its members had decided on this negotiation with the aim of putting the trade body on a strong footing.