Azad elected FBCCI president unopposed

Leading garment exporter and publisher of the daily Samokal, AK Azad, has been elected president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the country’s apex trade body.
The newly elected directors of the FBCCI board also unanimously elected Jasim Uddin and Mustafa Azad Chowdhury Babu as vice-presidents of the top trade body.
After being elected, Azad told newsmen that he would work for improving the institutional capacity of the FBCCI so that it can serve entrepreneurs efficiently and usefully.
‘If we compare ourselves even with the India’s apex trade body FICCI, institutional capacity here at FBCCI is miserable… They have nearly 200 economists working at FICCI,’ said Azad.
Azad said his team would immediately start work for developing a strong research cell at the FBCCI.
‘We should also research and collate reliable and up-to-date economic statistics and sector-wise business intelligence to serve local entrepreneurs and investors,’ he added.
Azad and Jasim led panel secured 21 out of 28 posts of director in the FBCCI polls held on Saturday.
The election of the office bearers was uncontested and completed at the first meeting of the 44-strong newly formed board. The board has 16 nominated directors from premier trade and industries associations and divisional chambers.
Sources in business circle said Salman F Rahman, a former FBCCI president and advisor to the Prime Minister on private sector, backed Azad and his team.
Azad is a nominated director from Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, but Jasim, representing Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association, had to face polls.
Mustafa Azad, representing Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, also had to come through election.
Jasim Uddin is the vice-chairmn of Bengal Group of Industries. Bengal’s major business includes manufacturing hangers and plastic accessories for export products and private TV channel R-tv. Mostafa Azad’s business includes cold storage, construction and transportation.
Azad and his colleagues would takeover charge of leading FBCCI for the next two years by 30th of June when the tenure of the incumbent office bearers, led by Annisul Huq, would expire.

Courtesy of NewAge