DHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) today accorded a reception to Members of Parliament (MPs) elected from the country's apparel sector in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election.  The reception was held at the Golf Garden of the Army Golf Club in the capital, followed by an iftar and doa mahfil. State Minister for Commerce Md Shariful Alam, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmed Sohel Monjur, and Adviser to the Prime Minister Mahdi Amin attended the programme.  Presided over by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, the event was attended by MPs Md Shahadat Hossain (Lakshmipur-1), Md Abdullah (Munshiganj-1), Md Lutfur Rahman (Tangail-4), Md Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9), Khaled Hossain Mahbub (Brahmanbaria-3), and Ershad Ullah (Chattogram-8), said a press release. BGMEA office-bearers, members of the board of directors, general members, and business leaders were also present at the programme. At the outset, the BGMEA president welcomed the MPs, state ministers and the adviser with flowers and crests. In his speech, Mahmud Hasan Khan congratulated the newly elected lawmakers, saying the victory of members of the apparel family was a victory for the entire sector. He expressed hope that while raising issues concerning their respective constituencies in the Jatiya Sangsad, the MPs would also speak about the apparel industry and highlight the relentless efforts and challenges faced by its entrepreneurs. "The newly elected MPs will play a significant role at the policymaking level as a strong voice for the garment sector in parliament," he said. Mahmud further voiced optimism that the lawmakers would contribute to export diversification, ease of doing business, reduction of operational costs and ensure fair solutions in the greater interest of the national economy. Speaking on behalf of the MPs, former BGMEA Senior Vice-President and MP Lutfur Rahman said the development of the country's garment industry began during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. He noted that the MPs elected from the apparel sector would take all-out initiatives to help the industry move further forward and strengthen the national economy. BGMEA First Vice-President Selim Rahman delivered the welcome address, expressing hope that the experience of the newly elected MPs would help formulate industry- and trade-friendly policies in parliament. It was noted that a total of 16 MPs have been elected to the 13th Jatiya Sangsad from the apparel industry family. They are: Ahmed Sohel Monjur (Pirojpur-2), Md Lutfur Rahman (Tangail-4), Mohammad Zakir Hossain (Mymensingh-5), Md Shariful Alam (Kishoreganj-6), Afroza Khanam (Manikganj-3), Md Abdullah (Munshiganj-1), Shama Obaed Islam (Faridpur-2), Khandaker Abdul Muktadir (Sylhet-1), S M Faisal (Habiganj-4), Khaled Hossain Mahbub (Brahmanbaria-3), Zakaria Taher (Cumilla-8), Md Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9), Abdul Hannan (Chandpur-4), Zainul Abedin Faruq (Noakhali-2), Md Shahadat Hossain (Lakshmipur-1) and Ershad Ullah (Chattogram-8). A doa mahfil was held seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity for the country and its people. The programme concluded with iftar.