Sammilito Parishad has announced its panel of candidates for the upcoming elections of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The 35-member panel, led by panel leader and Managing Director of Chaity Group, Md Abul Kalam, will contest the BGMEA In biennial election for the tenure of 2025–2027.

The panel includes two former BGMEA presidents, Faruque Hassan and Khandoker Rafiqul Islam.

The BGMEA Election Board has finalised the list of candidates.

Earlier, 43 candidates from Sammilito Parishad had submitted 44 nomination papers. Following the usual tradition, the panel leader submitted two nomination papers, and on the last date for withdrawal, other candidates withdrew their nominations in line with group's decisions.

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Among the candidates for the 26 director posts in the Dhaka region are former Senior Vice-President of BGMEA and Managing Director of Four A Yarn Dyeing Ltd., Abdullah Hil Rakib; former BGMEA Vice-President and Managing Director of Urmi Garments Ltd., Asif Ashraf; former BGMEA Vice-President and Managing Director of Poshmi Sweaters Ltd., Md Mashiul Azam; Managing Director of Sparrow Apparels Ltd., Mustajirul Shovon Islam; Director of Tusuka Apparels Ltd., Firoz Alam; Managing Director of Shin Shin Apparels Ltd., Mohammad Sohel Sadat; Syed Sadek Ahmed of Space Sweaters Ltd.; Managing Director of Maya’s Garments Ltd., Md Ashikur Rahman (Tuhin); Md Nurul Islam of B2B Excellence Ltd.; and Managing Director of Fortis Garments Ltd., Md Shahadat Hossain.

Other candidates include Additional Managing Director of Denim Expert Ltd., Md Mohiuddin Rubel; Managing Director of Galpex Ltd., Md Rezaul Alam Miru; Managing Director of Torque Fashions Ltd., Mohammad Kamal Uddin; Managing Director of TMS Fashions Ltd., Saifuddin Siddiqui Sagar; Managing Director of Sayem Fashions Ltd. and BYLC President, Abrar Hossain Sayem; Managing Director of BG Collection Ltd., Tamanna Faruq Thima; Mirza Faiyaz Hossain of Apparels Village Ltd.; Managing Director of Denim Attires Ltd., Helal Uddin Ahmed; Lithi Muntaha Mohiuddin of Lithi Apparels Ltd.; Managing Director of Jovian Sweater Ltd., AKM Azimul Hai; and Manzurul Faisal Haque of Tech Max Ltd.

Also contesting are Managing Director of Mimo Cotton Zone Textile Ltd., S M Moniruzzaman, and Managing Director of Pullman Knitwear Ltd., Md Rashedur Rahman.

For the Chattogram region, the panel leader is Managing Director of Independent Apparels Ltd., S M Abu Tayeb. Other candidates from the region include Managing Director of HKC Apparels Ltd. and former BGMEA Vice-President, Rakibul Alam Chowdhury; Managing Director of Madina Garments Ltd., Mohammad Musa; Managing Director of RSB Industrial Ltd., Anjan Shekhar Das; Managing Director of BSA Apparels Ltd., Nafid Nabi; Managing Director of Pacific Jeans Ltd., Syed Mohammad Tanvir; Managing Director of RDM Apparels Ltd., Mostafa Sarowar Riyad; Managing Director of Top Star Fashion Ltd., Md Absar Hossain; and Gazi Md Shahid Ullah of Sonet Textile Industries Ltd.

According to the election schedule, the final list of candidates will be published on 8 May 2025. The election will be held on 31 May 2025 simultaneously in both Dhaka and Chattogram regions.

After finalising the group nominations, panel leader Md Abul Kalam said that, as always, they have included some of the industry’s most experienced leaders in their panel, along with several promising young entrepreneurs, with the aim of grooming future leadership.

He added that they are committed to working tirelessly to build a well-structured, participatory, and stronger BGMEA.

Sammilita Parishad's rival panel is the Forum.