No trade body elections, AGMs this year
This suspension will be revoked if the Covid-19 situation normalises
The Ministry of Commerce has postponed elections and annual general meetings (AGMs) of all trade bodies in the country till December 31 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic.
In a circular issued on Sunday, the ministry said the committees of chambers and associations that expire during this period will be able to serve until the next election.
Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam, additional secretary and director of the ministry, said the decision was taken considering the health risks posed by the coronavirus.
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This suspension will be revoked if the Covid-19 situation normalises, he told The Business Standard, adding, "The committees whose terms expire before December will continue until the next election."
However, trade bodies that did not hold elections despite their committees expiring before the Covid-19 outbreak in the country have been asked to provide a valid reason for the delay. The commerce ministry will give a decision after receiving explanations from the organisations and reviewing those.
If there is a case pending in court regarding the AGM or election of any organisation, the ministry will take a separate decision for it.
According to commerce ministry officials, there are 79 chambers, 20 joint chambers and 377 associations in the country.
