KhandakerRafiqul Islam, Senior Vice President, BGMEA has been appointed as the new president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Association (BGMEA). He will replace SM Mannan Kochi, Past President, who resigned from his position citing personal reasons.
Additionally, Abdullah HilRakib, Vice-President has been named as the new senior vice-president, while Asif Ashraf, Director will take over as vice-president.
Rafiqul Islam is currently engaged as the managing director of the Designtex Group while Rakib leads Team Group as its managing director, and Ashraf is the managing director of Urmi Group.
Kochi will continue to remain as a director on the association’s board. Kochi and his panel took charge at the BGMEA's 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the 2024-2026 term on April 6 this year, after winning all 35 directorship posts in the BGMEA biennial election held on March 9. However, on Aug 12, a group of BGMEA members demanded the resignation of Kochi and his board, accusing them of controversial actions during the recent students' quota reforms movement.
The members also criticised the BGMEA's failure to provide adequate support to its members who faced operational challenges during the turmoil following the change in government.
InamulHaq Khan Bablu, Former Director, BGMEA, alleged. Kochi's board assumed power through vote rigging and a fraudulent voter list. He also implicated Salam Murshedy, Member of Parliament, Awami League, SiddiqurRahman, Secretary, Industry and Commerce Affairs and MdAtiqul Islam, Former Mayor, -Dhaka North City Corporation in the alleged vote manipulation.
