Sammilita Parishad, a panel which is participating in the biennial polls of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has said it will work to fetch $60 billion in exports from the current $42 billion by the next five years if they win the election.
Md Abul Kalam, panel leader of the Sammilita Parishad and MD of Chaity Group came up with the pledge at an Iftar programme held at the Army Golf Club in Dhaka on Sunday.
The schedule for the election of the BGMEA Executive Board for the term 2025-2027 has been announced. As per the schedule, the election for the 35 director posts of the organisation will be held on 28 May.
“We will formally announce the names of our candidates. If we are elected in the upcoming election thanks to your votes, we will work to increase the export basket from the existing $42 billion to $60 billion by the next five years. For this purpose, we will require uninterrupted electricity and gas in industries,” said Abul Kalam, also the managing director of Chaity Group.
In the garment industry, he said, there are a lot of problems, including customs as well as electricity and gas crises, and these issues will be resolved.
Speaking at the event, former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan said they will take part in the upcoming election and want to win like the previous years.
“An excellent panel will be announced soon. This Iftar mahfil gave us an opportunity to be united,” he added.
On Saturday, the BGMEA’s election-bound other alliance, Forum, also arranged an Iftar party at the same venue. The leaders demanded a separate ministry for the garment and textile sector to ensure sustainability in the industry.
Council President Kazi Moniruzzaman, BGMEA former president Faruk Hasan, Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, Engineer Qutubuddin and many other prominent figures spoke at the mahfil. They sought everyone’s cooperation on behalf of the Sammilita Parishad.
In the BGMEA Election panels will contest Sammilita Parishad and Forum.
