Salim Osman elected BKMEA President for sixth time in a row

AKM Salim Osman has been elected President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) for the sixth consecutive time.

Salim Osman, who was elected unopposed, is the current Member of Parliament from Narayanganj.

The elected committee was scheduled to appoint the board of directors on Monday, says a press release.

Mohammad Hatem. Photo: Courtesy

The election schedule was announced on 17 August. In the past, the number of board members of the organisation was 27, but this time it has been increased to 35. Moreover, the post of executive president was newly created. Mohammad Hatem was named the new executive president.

During the submission of nomination papers, the 'Knit Forum' panel headed by Salim Osman submitted 35 nomination papers. Apart from this, no other member submitted any nomination paper. As a result, the panel led by Salim Osman was elected unopposed.

Earlier in April, the committee of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the largest of the two garment industry owners' organisations, was elected through a vote.

"There was no deviation from the rules in the election. There was no barrier to the submission of nomination papers. But since no one submitted, our panel was elected without contest," said Salim Osman while talking to reporters at his office at Banglamotor in the capital on Monday.

At that time, he said our biggest problem now is not being able to talk directly to the government, i.e. the prime minister. Earlier, we could meet her and tell her about any need that could not be said publicly. But the coronavirus pandemic came and put us in danger. Now, we cannot go and talk to her about any problem.

He also complained that even though the price of raw materials for garments has gone up, the buyers are not increasing the price of RMG products.

Among others, Munsur Ahmed, senior vice president of the new committee, and Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice president, were present.