Shamim Islam becomes acting BTMA president

Mohammad Shamim Islam has become the acting president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) in the absence of its president, Showkat Aziz Russell.

The BTMA announced the decision on Monday (November 2).

According to the association, Russell went on leave on October 10, and Shamim took charge on October 11. A BTMA statement said Russell would remain on leave until December 10, with Shamim assigned the responsibility under Article 63 of the association's constitution.

Shamim is the managing director of Jamuna Group and Jamuna Hi-Tech Spinning Mills Ltd.

On Sunday, a court sent Russell to jail in a corruption case over plot allocation in the Rajuk Purbachal Residential Project. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the case.

Russell surrendered before the court and sought bail pending appeal, but his petition was rejected.

He has been vocal about business demands and the gas and electricity crisis. He was also preparing to contest for the presidency of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

-AJM