The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has appointed Maj Gen (Retd) Md Sahedul Islam as its new secretary general, bringing a former senior military officer, diplomat and academic into the leadership of the country’s largest apparel trade body.
The appointment was announced in a BGMEA press release issued on Saturday.
The association said Sahedul Islam has formally assumed office.
BGMEA said Sahedul Islam brings more than 35 years of experience in military leadership, international diplomacy and academia.
It said his experience and leadership would support the ready-made garment sector’s continued growth, workforce development and efforts to address emerging global challenges.
Sahedul Islam previously served as defence attaché at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC, where he received the United States’ Legion of Merit decoration in recognition of his service.
He holds a PhD, MPhil and MBA from the University of Dhaka.
His doctoral research focused on workers’ skills assessment and development. He also earned a Master’s in Management Studies from Osmania University in India.
During his career, he served as dean at Bangladesh University of Professionals and as treasurer and professor at Central University of Science and Technology. He also served in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Sahedul Islam said he was pleased to join BGMEA, which represents Bangladesh’s largest export-earning industry.
He said he would work with the BGMEA board and garment manufacturers to help the industry respond to global economic challenges, diversify products and export markets, strengthen workforce skills and reinforce Bangladesh’s position in international markets.
