The interim government has extended the tenure of the administrator of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) by four months to facilitate the biennial election of the trade body.

The tenure of Md Anwar Hossain, the BGMEA administrator and vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau, has been extended until June 16, with effect from February 17, 2025, according to a circular issued by the commerce ministry on February 5.

Earlier, the government appointed Hossain to the post after the resignation of the association's elected president, SM Mannan Kochi, on August 24 last year.

Although a new board was formed after Kochi's resignation, the commerce ministry stated in a circular that the board had been formed in a faulty manner.

Additionally, the reconstituted board failed to adequately address complaints raised by the general members, according to the circular.

Hossain was supposed to create the environment for a free and fair election within 120 days of his appointment. However, the administrator could not hold the election on time.