BAFFA members demand the reinstatement of a democratically elected board, criticizing the disruption caused by the Ministry of Commerce’s appointed administrator.
 |
| Members of BAFFA in Bangladesh seek immediate elections and the removal of the current administrator appointed by the Ministry of Commerce, threatening larger protests. Image: Khorshed Alam |
Dhaka, Bangladesh — August 14, 2025:
Members of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA) have demanded the restoration of democratic elections within the organization, expressing growing concerns over the disruption caused by an administrator appointed by the Ministry of Commerce.
At a press conference held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Reporters Unity in Dhaka, Mohammad Nur Uddin, a key member of BAFFA, explained that the recent administrative changes have severely hampered the trade body’s activities. BAFFA, with 1,188 active members, plays a vital role in the country’s import-export sector, overseeing nearly all of Bangladesh’s freight activities, including customs, ports, banking, and shipping.
Last June, the Ministry of Commerce dissolved BAFFA’s democratically elected board and replaced it with an administrator. According to Nur Uddin, this decision has been detrimental not only to the organization’s functioning but also to the future of the entire freight forwarding industry in Bangladesh.
He noted that the timing of this change is especially problematic, with numerous urgent issues affecting the sector, including the imposition of new taxes on imports and exports, tariff hikes at Chittagong Port, and operational complications in cargo handling. The appointed administrator, he argued, lacks the professional experience needed to address these challenges, further exacerbating the situation.
Nur Uddin also pointed out that, under normal circumstances, new elections would have been held within three months of the last board’s term, but despite being tasked with overseeing these elections, the administrator has not provided any election schedule after more than 70 days in office. Additionally, the administrator’s extended leave abroad has led to further delays in addressing critical matters.
Demanding action from the Ministry of Commerce, Nur Uddin called for the immediate removal of the administrator and the reinstatement of the elected board to allow BAFFA to effectively serve its members and the wider freight forwarding industry.
“If our demands are not met within seven working days,” he warned, “we will be forced to submit formal protests at both national and international levels, organize a work stoppage, and escalate our actions.”
The press conference was also attended by former BAFFA president Kabir Ahmed, members Kamal Ahmed and Mofizur Rahman, who voiced similar concerns, emphasizing the importance of returning to a democratic structure for the continued success and stability of the freight forwarding sector in Bangladesh.