BGMEA seeks one-year extension to shift its headquarters

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought an additional year to shift its headquarters from Hatirjheel, saying that the construction of its new office building at Uttara will be completed by this time. "We've have filed a petition with the court seeking one year's time to demolish the building. We will leave the building as soon as the construction of our new offices is complete, which will take another year," said BGMEA President Md Siddiqur Rahman at a media briefing on Saturday, reports BSS. On March 12, the Supreme Court ordered the demolition of the current 15-storey headquarters by September 12, rejecting a three-year time petition filed by the association. Siddiqur Rahman said BGMEA appealed to the court on August 23 for extension of the deadline. The BGMEA president also said they have already appointed consultants for the new building on  5.5 bighas of land in Uttara Sector-17. "I'm hopeful that the construction of the new building will be completed by next year," he added. Siddiqur further said that they had attempted to rent a building to use as a temporary office, but they could not find any suitable space that could accommodate their 300 employees. "We respect the law and we hope that, in consideration of the contribution of the RMG sector to the national economy, the court will take accept our petition," he added. On March 5, BGMEA lost the last legal battle to keep its structure intact on the scenic Hatirjheel water body, as the Appellate Division rejected its plea and ordered the demolition of the structure. In 2011, the High Court first ordered the demolition of the 15-storey building as it was constructed in defiance of relevant laws.