FBCCI Faces Leadership Void as Administrator Post Remains Vacant

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade body of the country, has been without elected business leadership for 21 consecutive months. For a significant period, its daily operations were managed by an administrator. However, for the past two weeks, even the administrator position has been vacant, following the expiry of the previous administrator's term in late June without a replacement appointed by the Ministry of Commerce. This leaves FBCCI in a complete state of leadership vacuum.

Simultaneously, the process to amend the Trade Organization Rules is stalled. These rules, finalized during the previous interim government, faced objections from business organizations, prompting an amendment effort that was left incomplete. The current government, which took office in February, has not finalized these amendments in the past five months. Consequently, elections for leadership positions in FBCCI and various other chambers are not being held. Business leaders across different sectors have expressed concern, noting the government's initiatives to boost the private sector through policy support and stimulus funds, yet lamenting the apparent lack of sincere effort to activate the apex trade body and other business organizations. They believe the current crisis in business organizations will persist until the Trade Organization Rules are amended.

FBCCI's former president, Jasim Uddin, emphasized the urgent need to reactivate the organization to ensure small and medium enterprises can effectively communicate their interests to the government. Former assistant committee member Abul Kashem Haider has voiced frustration, stating that despite government intentions to increase private sector investment, the representative body has lacked leadership for nearly two years. He has discussed the issue multiple times with the Finance and Commerce Ministers, who have made unfulfilled promises. Haider suggested that if the government doesn't prioritize FBCCI, it should consider dissolving it.

The leadership vacuum traces back to August 2023, following a political shift, when a segment of FBCCI members demanded the resignation of the board. This led to the resignation of President Mahbubul Alam. Subsequently, the board was dissolved, and Commerce Ministry official Md. Hafizur Rahman was appointed administrator. Hafizur Rahman served for a year but could not complete elections, although a schedule was announced. Legal challenges to certain clauses of the Trade Organization Rules by business representatives halted the election process. After Hafizur Rahman's term ended, the position remained vacant for 1.5 months before Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, then Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, was appointed administrator in October, tasked with holding elections within 120 days. However, court cases again prevented elections. His term was extended by four months, ending on June 26, after which he ceased official duties at FBCCI. During his tenure, an initiative was taken to appoint a businessperson as administrator, but it was not finalized. Former administrator Abdur Rahim Khan confirmed that the ministry had intended to appoint a businessperson but it did not materialize. Commerce Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Khan stated that a qualified businessperson is currently being sought to serve as administrator, under whom elections will be held. The current Trade Organization Rules, issued in May last year, stipulate that no one can serve more than two consecutive terms, but can return after a break. This rule, applied retroactively, disqualified individuals who had served in the last two boards, leading to significant opposition and legal challenges that have stalled elections not only at FBCCI but also at other chambers like the Dhaka Chamber and Metropolitan Chamber.