As per an agreement reached from negotiations, a proposal will be placed before the FBCCI election board by 10:00 this morning proposing the name of Abdul Awal Mintoo as president of the FBCCI along with names of two vice-presidents.

However, negotiations were on and the names of the probable vice-presidents were not yet confirmed.

According to the proposal to be placed by government nominated director SM Nazrul Islam of Khulna Chamber, 13 nominated directors have extended support to Mintoo who already has 12 elected directors from his panel.

The proposal will be sent for voting with the support of 25 candidates but Mintoo needs 20 votes to gain simple majority in the 38-member executive committee.

Support of the 14 government nominated directors who have already made their way by virtue of the changed electoral system has become key to deciding the next leadership of the apex trade body.

The lone director who is not going to support Mintoo is M A Awal of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association who had earlier announced his candidature for the post of president.

Under the changed electoral system, 24 directors have been elected, 12 each from chamber and association groups.

Mintoo-led panel bagged 11 directors while his key rival panel led by Abdul Matlub Ahmad got only one in the chamber group.

In the association group, Mintoo managed only one director while Matlub bagged nine and A Rouf Chowdhury-led panel got two.

Sources said all the elected candidates of Mintoo-led panel have been kept at a "secured place" to ensure that none from the rival panel steals their support.

Meanwhile, Matlub, who was actively supported by the high-ups of main opposition Awami League, at a press conference yesterday said there is a possibility for him of not being elected FBCCI president despite getting highest votes.

Matlub was elected director with the highest 508 votes in the association group polls as a candidate from Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association.

The Nitol Group Chairman blamed the reformed electoral process for blocking his way to becoming FBCCI president. He, however, said he would work in the new committee for the betterment of the business community, even if he fails to become president.