Mohammad Hatem, managing director of MB Knit Fashion Ltd, will take over as president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), having previously served as executive president since the last AGM.
In an emergency board meeting of the country’s top knitwear manufacturers on 25th August, current president Selim Osman resigned from his position as president and board director, citing personal and medical reasons.
According to the BKMEA sources, Selim joined the meeting virtually and announced his resignation.
Since 22nd July 2010, when Selim Osman was elected BKMEA president for the first time, the association has not staged a competitive election, though the association held elections in advance of each election, with nomination papers coming from a single panel.
Selim’s resignation comes after the Sheikh Hasina Government was overthrown earlier this month amid widespread unrest. Selim was also a member of parliament for Narayangonj-5.
In an immediate reaction, Mohammad Hatem said that their priority will be to work with the central bank to resolve financing issues for the industry and work with NBR to minimise the customs law and procedures related to some issues.
“We will also work with the government to resume talk with EU trade negotiations to continue preferential trade benefits in that trade zone,” he added saying that they will also work for the US market.
In the emergency board meeting, the BGMEA board also elected Fatullah Apparels Ltd Managing Director Fazlee
Shamim and Micro Fibre Group Managing Director Engr Md Shamsuzzaman, as its executive president and vice president, respectively.
From December 1996 to 20th April 2002, Hatem served as the organization’s founding member and director.
Later, he served as vice president for six years, followed by 1.5 terms as executive president.
Ehsan served as BKMEA’s vice president for the past five years. He had previously served as a director for several terms.
Shamsuzzaman also had three terms as the association’s director.
