In a swift and sudden move and without the knowledge of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, “anti-liberation forces” in Bangladesh took “full control” of the 21-year-old influential India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) on December 8.
The chamber’s 24-member governing body, including representatives of Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Adani Group, Himalaya Wellness Company, Kolkata-based Emami Group, Larsen & Toubro, Dr Lal’s Path Lab and Marico, now stands ejected.
Twelve members each representing Indian and Bangladeshi business interests have traditionally been on the governing body since it was formed 21 years ago.
An election to the IBCCI’s governing body was held on November 27 and reports indicate that contestants ran unopposed for the 2025-27 term.
Elections to the governing body are held every two years.
On December 8, Masihur Rahman, who is the promoter of Rahman Shipping Lines, took over as the new IBCCI President, replacing Abdul Matlub Ahmed of Nitol Motors and a former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI).
The IBCCI’s new Vice-President is Meherun Nessa Islam who is President and Managing Director of Conference and Exhibition Management Services (CEMS) Ltd. Amit Kumar Tiwari of Torrecid Bangladesh Ltd, will continue to function as a director. Tiwari was elected as an IBCCI director in 2023.
Islam was elected as an executive member of the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 2023-25.
ALSO READ: Hung house in Mizoram’s Lai ADC, MNF emerges single largest party
The concern among Indian officials was the election of two new directors – Maulana Yakub Sharfati of the Hajj Association of Bangladesh and Humayun Rashid Khan Pathan who is said to have links with a banned Bangladeshi organisation.
Only five members from the outgoing governing body could retain their positions on the panel.
They include Mohammad Ali Deen, Director of Runner Group and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Automobile Assemblers and Manufacturers Association.
The “take over” was an outcome of a change in election rules for the governing body.
The Mohammad Yunus-led interim government amended the rules that debarred Bangladeshi businessmen on the IBCCI’s governing body ineligible to contest elections in the event they have served two consecutive terms on the committee.
