Ershad Rana Elected CCIFB President for 2026-2028 Term

Dr. Md. Ershad Hussain Rana, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dawn Group, has been elected President of the France Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFB) for the 2026-2028 term, as the chamber announced its new leadership team aimed at further strengthening economic and commercial relations between Bangladesh and France.

The election took place during the chamber's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Dhaka on Thursday, where members endorsed a new board that will lead the organisation over the next two years.

Alongside Dr. Rana, M. A. Reaz, Director (Business Development) of Expo Holdings (BD) Ltd., and Md. Jahangir Alam Sharker, Managing Director and CEO of 3i Logistics (Pvt.) Ltd., were elected as Vice Presidents of the chamber. Farzana Chowdhury of Abista FS Ltd. was elected Treasurer.

The newly formed 17-member board comprises prominent business leaders representing a diverse range of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, exports, aviation, insurance, security services, and international trade.

The elected directors include Syed Sadat Ahmed, Managing Director of ABN Group; Dató K. M. Rifatuzzaman, Managing Director of Akhtar Group; Badria Anis, Director Marketing of Bangladesh Exports Ltd.; Ahmed Saifuddin Chowdhury, Managing Director and CEO of Bangladesh General Insurance Company Ltd.; Arif Rahman, Managing Director of Bengal Airlift Ltd.; Brigadier General Sharif Aziz, PSC (Retd.), Managing Director of Elite Security Services Ltd.; Md. Asadul Islam, Managing Director of Fariha Knit Tex Ltd.; S. M. Rahman, Managing Director of Novo Cargo Services Ltd.; Mohammad Rashed, CEO of Pacific Design & Sourcing; S. A. Bahadur, President and CEO of Radiant Corporation; Salimul Haque Essa, Managing Director of Tasho Enterprises Ltd.; Mahmodul Islam Parvez, Managing Director of Uni-Global Business Ltd.; and Sana Sattar, Executive Director of Utah Knitting & Dyeing Ltd.

The Board Transition Ceremony was held immediately after the AGM, formally handing over responsibilities to the newly elected leadership team.

Speaking on the occasion, chamber members expressed optimism that the new board would play a key role in expanding business cooperation between Bangladesh and France at a time when bilateral economic ties are gaining increasing importance.

France remains one of Bangladesh's significant trading partners within the European Union, with growing collaboration in sectors such as ready-made garments, energy, infrastructure, aviation, information technology, logistics, and sustainable development. Business leaders believe that enhanced engagement between the private sectors of the two countries could unlock new opportunities for trade diversification, investment, technology transfer, and skills development.

The France Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been working to promote commercial partnerships, facilitate business networking, and create platforms for dialogue between entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers from both countries. Over the years, the chamber has organised trade missions, investment forums, business matchmaking events, and policy discussions aimed at improving the business climate and fostering stronger economic cooperation.

Industry stakeholders attending the AGM noted that Bangladesh's steady economic growth, expanding consumer market, and improving infrastructure continue to attract interest from French companies looking to expand their presence in South Asia. At the same time, Bangladeshi businesses are increasingly exploring opportunities in the French market, particularly under the framework of broader Bangladesh-European Union economic engagement.

The chamber's new leadership is expected to focus on deepening bilateral trade relations, encouraging French investment in Bangladesh, supporting business-to-business partnerships, and promoting sustainable and innovative business practices. The board is also expected to work closely with government agencies, development partners, and private-sector organisations to address challenges and identify new areas of cooperation.

The transition ceremony concluded with a luncheon attended by chamber members, business leaders, and stakeholders, providing an opportunity for networking and discussions on future collaboration. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding economic relationship between France and Bangladesh and advancing mutual business interests over the coming years.

With a new leadership team in place, the chamber is expected to continue serving as an important bridge between the business communities of the two countries while supporting efforts to boost trade, investment, and economic cooperation in the years ahead.