The Advertising Agencies Association of Bangladesh (AAAB) held its Annual General Meeting for 2026 at the Banani Club Banquet Hall in Dhaka on April 15, with participation from representatives of 42 member agencies.
AAAB President Sanaul Arefeen presided over the meeting, which was attended by Executive Committee members, agency leaders and guests including Geeteara Safiya Choudhury, Ramendu Majumdar, Muneer Ahmed Khan and Yusuf Hassan.
The session opened with a welcome address by the president, followed by confirmation of the minutes from the previous Annual General Meeting.
General Secretary Syed Ahsanul Apon presented the annual report, outlining key initiatives and progress over the past term, with a focus on industry engagement and capability development through workshops and knowledge-sharing programmes.
He highlighted ongoing policy advocacy efforts involving institutions such as the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, raising issues including digital advertising payment challenges, VAT and taxation complexities, regulatory clarity and the need for greater industry formalisation.
He also emphasised the association’s commitment to working with government stakeholders to strengthen policy frameworks that support revenue generation and recognise the growing contribution of the advertising sector to Bangladesh’s digital economy.
Agency representatives took part in an open discussion and question-and-answer session, sharing business challenges and identifying areas where the association could expand support.
Treasurer Sarah Ali presented the audited financial statements, while members approved the minutes of the November 2024 AGM, the annual report, the treasurer’s report, audited financial statements, the appointment of the auditor and remuneration, and the budget proposal for 2026.
In a separate segment, Joint Secretary M A Maruf welcomed new members who joined since the previous AGM and introduced sub-committee members, stressing the importance of active participation in strengthening the industry.
Executive Committee members Muhammad Risalat Siddique and Mehrun Nessa Islam were also present.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from Vice President Nazim Farhan Choudhury, followed by a dinner, musical performance and networking session among members.
