The government has appointed Md. Hafizur Rahman, a member of Bangladesh Competition Commission, as administrator of the apex trade body Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of commerce and industry (FBCCI) by abolishing its board of directors.
On the other hand, it has also appointed Md. Sayed Ali, a deputy secretary of the commerce ministry, as administrator to the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB).
The commerce ministry's trade organisation wing on Wednesday issued two orders in this connection.
Mr. Rahman (former additional secretary) and Mr. Ali will conduct fair elections separately within
120 days as per their assignments and hand over the responsibility to the two elected committees and inform the ministry.
According to the ministry, FBCCI president Mahbubul Alam resigned on health grounds.
After Mr. Alam's resignation, Amin Helali claimed himself to be the acting president of the FBCCI, though it was not supported by any evidence related to re-organisation of the board.
The organisation was not being run properly in the interest of the county's business, industry, trade and service sector due to a lack of coordination between the current board of FBCCI and the elected directors.
So, it was needed to dissolve the present board as per Section 17 (1) of Trade Organizations Act-2022.
The commerce ministry thinks that it is mandatory to operate the FBCCI in accordance with the relevant laws, memorandum and article of association of the organisation to maintain continuity of all activities of the organisation. With that end in view, the government appointed the administrator to the trade body.
Soon after collapse of the Sheikh Hasina regime, a few members of the FBCCI board and some general members became active in changing the leadership of the federation.
In August last, a number of businessmen requested the Finance and Commerce Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed to abolish the current board of directors of FBCCI. They suggested appointment of an administrator as the FBCCI activities had been going against the interest of business, industry and services sector in the last 15 years.
To dissolve the board of FBCCI, Director General of Trade Organisation (Additional charge) Dr. Nazneen Kawshar Chawdhury held a hearing on Tuesday.
Former vice-president of FBCCI Abul Kashem Haider, among other members of the trade body, was present at the hearing held at the commerce ministry.
On the other hand, Shomi Kaiser resigned from the post of president of the e-CAB on August 13 last. After that, all the members of the executive board resigned. In this situation, the commerce ministry appointed the administrator in the e-CAB.
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