S.A.Farouqee

S.A.Farouqee is a celebrated personality of Bangladesh banking sector. ‘Make Oneself Prominent’- the subject is not at all within him. To a great extent unknowingly to all, he is working in the banking ocean. He is dear one to many today because he works staying in silence, solitude. Most of the new generation bankers, following his personality, practices in their own area of work. And in own organization, Standard Bank, S.A.Farouqee’s popularity is sky-kissing. From person to personality to everybody, S.A.Farouqee is a name of a guardian. S.A.Farouqee is performing the great vow to strengthen the future base of the country by co-operating and assisting young entrepreneurs of different sectors of the country, by embracing them. By staying in lanes, corners of banking sector for 33 years he is today seated in the position of the Managing Director of Standard Bank.

S.M.Aminur Rahman

Successful personality in achieving far-sighted and analytical outlook in banking is S.M.Aminur Rahman. He started his career at Sonali Bank as a Probationary Officer after obtaining MBA degree from IBA of Dhaka University, from then on his uninterrupted advancement ahead. At present, he is performing responsibilities as CEO & Managing Director of Janata Bank. S.M.Aminur Rahman was born on 22nd September in the year 1951 in Burumdi village of historic Sonargaon Upazilla of Narayanganj. His late father was a renowned medical practitioner. He devoted himself in the endeavor to achieve proficiency in all fields of Banking. In continuity with that   from the year 1981 to 1983, he was ‘Financial Analyst’ of Bangladesh Bank on deputation, from 1984 Senior Principal Officer, in the year 1990 Asstt. General Manager and in the year 1994 this farsighted banker personality attained promotion as Deputy General Manager. After being promoted as General Manager in the year 1999, he joined Rupali Bank Limited. During limited tenure at this Bank, he was assigned to the responsibilities of Principal Branch with International Division, Human Resources Development Division, Industrial Credit Division and Computer Division. In the year 2000 he was again transferred back to Sonali Bank. In the year 2003 he was promoted to the position of Deputy Managing Director. On 7th September in the year 2004 he joined as   Managing Director of Janata Bank. Under his skillful leadership, Janata Bank was able to attain highest profit in the Banking Sector in the year 2006. During this particular year, he took responsibilities of Sonali Bank as Managing Director. During his term state owned Sonali Bank turned into Sonali Bank Limited as per changed policies of the government. As per everybody’s expectation he was able to have proficient role in providing leadership to the bank to emerge as able and firm bank while competing with the banks of private sector. In line with the same, everybody expects Sonali Bank will come out as more resourceful bank overcoming the situations of loss of the past time. Due to use of his analytical outlook in country’s banking sector and in recognition of dynamic activities, he has been nominated as one of the top personalities by Aurthokatha, sincere wishes and greetings to him from the Aurthokatha family.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury

Distinguished business entrepreneur and political personality Saber Hossain Chowdhury is the Managing Director of Karnaphuli Limited. Though the journey of this business started in the year 1954, at present this company is expanding in various sectors crossing various ups and downs. Capital Dhaka’s high rise shopping mall and residential edifice Karnaphuli Garden City has been built as associate of this organization. At present more construction works are going on of this company in capital Dhaka. By marketing ‘Yamaha’     brand of Japan, Karnaphuli Limited gained most extensive familiarization. Karnaphuli Limited’s role is of a long time in making Yamaha motor cycle popular in the market of Bangladesh. Though Saber Hossain Chowdhury took up the steers of this Company by family inheritance, he has much contribution behind attaining well-familiarization for the Company. Mr. Saber Hossain Chowdhury did not run after profit only as an entrepreneur with liabilities, progressive daily ‘Bhorer Kagoz’ was born also due to his direct patronization. At the very moment of birth, this paper became reader’s top ranking paper of choice. It became possible due to assistive role of Saber Hossain Chowdhury. Successful entrepreneur in other areas of business, once upon a time became elected to the parliament from one of the seats of Dhaka, later performed responsibilities as political advisor to Sheikh Hasina, Awami League President and former Prime Minister. Despite giving time in politics as a top ranking business man, he was able to keep himself clean. Being able to nominate him due to the reasons of dynamic role in trade and commerce of the country and indifferent political involvement Arthokatha is pleased. Everybody hopes this personality’s role would be brighter as a fit partner. Sincere greetings and wishes to Mr. Saber Hossain Chowdhury from Arthokatha.

Salman F.Rahman  

Beximco Pharma is one of the limited few enterprises in Pharmaceutical Industry, which crossed the boundaries of the country to get established in the international arena with their own identity, coverage and reputation. Wise circles at home and abroad labeled Beximco Pharma as one of the top pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises much earlier. In true sense, for transformation from that position of one of a few, to the country’s best pharmaceutical enterprise of today, the person whose talent, devotion, diligence, sincerity and far-sightedness are intimately blended, is the pioneer personality of the group Mr. Salman F.Rahman also the Deputy Chairman of the group. Today, due to his competent leadership, Beximco Pharma is considered                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               as a dependable pharmaceutical exporter to USA. After emergence as a successful exporter to U.S.A., another feather was added to their crown of success by way of inclusion of the enterprise as a member of London Stock Exchange. Through this event, not only a Bangladeshi Company entered London Stock Exchange for the first time but also any Company even from amongst the countries of the Muslim world entered London Stock Exchange for the first time. In this regard Mr.Salman F.Rahman says he started to think, when neighboring India could export Medicines worth Rs.1400 Cr. a year then why could not we be able? Such precise far reaching thoughts could bring BEXIMCO to today’s position. Not only his own enterprise but also the entire Pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh got established in honorable position amongst world’s arena for which Mr.Salman F.Rahman’s role is undeniable. In recent past, his election to the position of the President of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association proves recognition of confidence of others in his leadership. Then not only in the field of trade and commerce but also Salman F.Rahman aroused with patriotism, plays an effective role in politics. With the resolve of serving the country, by not keeping his position direct, he is indirectly involved in politics. He is the Advisor to the President of Awami League on private sector related affairs. Beximco Group with employment of 25000 will expand far more with merit and intellect of Salman F.Rahman. Everybody expects reputation and business success of this enterprise will grow further and further in the interest of the country.

Samson H.Chowdhury

Samson H.Chowdhury is a successful industrial entrepreneur, an institution. He was born on 25th February in the year 1926 in a solitary village of Faridpur. Wrapping up the Childhood and boyhood recitals of lessons he went across to London and returned home acquiring degree from world famous Cambridge University. With other three friends as fellows he established ‘SQUARE’ at Shalgaria of Pabna. The start of Square was with 12 labors, a small semi-pucca dwelling and some machines. Meager capital, limited manpower, small entrepreneurship but sky-high outlook-the outlook, which he nurtured piece by piece into today’s big tree, the industrial group: SQUARE. Currently he is the Chairman of this group. The portrait of accountability has happened to be vivid in all his creations. Whose poetic expression has been opened up in the rhyme of Corporate Slogan “To save life, to organize Life: SQUARE”.

Bit by bit this business entity, stepped also into foreign markets. First syrup produced by Square Pharmaceuticals also used to be exported abroad. In 1987 expanded Square was successful in exporting some more items other than pharmaceuticals. Samson H.Choudhury’s thoughts expanded into Toiletries, Household items, Textile products and some more Industries. In 1994 Square was converted into a Public Limited Company. Square Pharma’s stock went enlisted with Dhaka Stock Exchange. Later two most ultra-modern units were established in Shalgaria, Pabna and Gazipore, Dhaka. Samson H. Chowdhury expanded his thoughts further. One by one came up Square Toiletries, Square Consumer Products, Square Spinning, Square Knit Fabrics, Square Fashions, Square Informatics, and Square Hospital. Apart from that he took up considerable shares in some other companies including Shelltech, Pioneer Insurance, Mutual Trust Bank, National Housing Finance, Midas Financing, Ekushey TV etc. His area of activities extended further and further. An assortment of various articles of everyday household needs such  as Mineral Plant, Juice Plant, Soybean Oil, Mixed Spices, Vermicelli, Noodles etc., were added into Square family. Reaching the year 2007 Samson H. Chowdhury, not only became mature in age but also crossed the limits of individuality and transformed himself into an institution.  Due to his significant entrepreneurship he received recognition of Best Business Personality Awards of 1994, 1997,1998,2002,2005 and thereafter in 2007. Open-hearted felicitations to this skilled craftsman of enterprises and ventures, entrepreneur personality illuminated with youth with the expectations to move ahead further and further.

Selima Ahmed

Women's empowerment and women in power, the subject is required to be analyzed in this way which to some extent falls into the type of rudeness. But looking under the assessment of reality, there is no scope to think in that way. In fact there are too many talks about women's empowerment but actual work is very low. It is very natural to have the question raised that in the country in which for three consecutive terms, female presence is in state power, in that country there is no necessity of so much talks about women's empowerment. Most mentionable is that, today on the top of state power and the outside, the woman leadership, this is not the symbol of social structure and social advancement. It is the manifestation of their competence. Exactly likewise at different stages of the society, who have come up as the competent women personalities or entrepreneurs that is also due to their own competence and firm mental strength. Society did not let them go ahead. Rather the rational social system is rather holding them pulled backwards. Even after that women are coming forward, coming up breaking the stairs. Education, art, culture, trade and commerce, in all spheres despite being low, the presence of women and activities are like eye catching. Despite many limitations, many daring women, have got themselves established as successful entrepreneurs in trade and industry. Coming out by breaking the circle, for getting established in own glory, a silent revolution has been accomplished. Those who hold the capacity to break the circle, they are undoubtedly being considered as pioneers of awakening the women, accompanied with sound. A few in numbers, role of women entrepreneurs are not less in the country. Until now, we can see quite a few desperate women entrepreneurs in country’s socio-economic sector. Not only that in this case in their competence they are capturing the seats of leadership also, overcoming in competition with males. Chairman and Managing Directors of different financial institutions are women now, which were not possible even 5 to 7years ago. We can see many competent women personalities as entrepreneurs and CEO of many big industrial groups. Selima Ahmed is one amongst them. Not just by education, aristocracy or inheritance, Mrs. Ahmed is established in her own competence. Not only as an entrepreneur herself, to create more entrepreneurs in light of experience at home and abroad, she structured Bangladesh Women Chamber of Business and Industry, in short BDWCBI.

Mr. Selima Ahmed after obtaining Honors and Masters, in Management, started working life alongside family. In combination of talent with intellect she raised herself as a successful business woman and industrial entrepreneur. By taking decisions compatible with the time and the age and skilled management as well, Nitol Group has raised a huge industrial empire in the country. Under dynamic leadership of Selima Ahmed, employment of many people has taken place in Bangladesh. She is the Managing Director of only export oriented artificial silk flower industrial enterprise of Bangladesh, Nalita & Company Limited. Apart from that she is Director of Nitol Motors Limited, Nita Company Limited, Niloy Motors Limited, Nikita and Company, Niloy Cement Industries Limited, Nitol Cement Industries Limited, Niloy Taxicab Company Limited, Central Properties Limited, Bengal Pipe and Sanitary Limited, Special Packaging Industries Limited, Nitol Construction Limited, Nitol Electricity Limited, Nitol Jalalabad Private Private Limited, Swan Clearing Agency Private Limited, Nitol Steel Private Limited and Nitol Insurance Company Limited.

In order to take Bangladesh ahead, which country is backward in Industry, trade and commerce, enterprising, courageous and creative entrepreneur like Selima Ahmed is very much necessary now. In our country participation of women folk is very insignificant in entrepreneurial roles. But dense mist covered by darkness has moved out.  Selima Ahmed has shown ways to the women entrepreneurs. Now remaining even within family surroundings a woman can play significant role in economy.  Women society is vociferous even against unreasonable acts, tyranny. Mrs. Selima Ahmed is sufficiently proficient as entrepreneur Director and this proficiency has been proved in work, talent, enthusiasm and hard labor.

In the year 2002 for significant contributions in national economy and for establishing women as entrepreneurs Aurthokatha’s wise Board of Juries has nominated him as the best of the year female entrepreneur.

Shafiul Islam Kamal

By adding new scale in modernism and view, performer of silent revolution in transport system of the country, and achiever of massive fame as pioneer personality in transport service of the country, a unique name is Shafiul Islam Kamal, Chairman of country-wide famous Corporate Navana Group. He himself has been transformed into an institution due to extra-ordinary contribution in transport sector and other activities. Shafiul Islam Kamal is a top ranking one amongst a few entrepreneur personalities who are having unique role to raise a developed transport sector in the country and to let this sector reach further developed stage of taste and technology. Mr. Shafiul Islam Kamal can be entitled with the title ‘A successful man behind the logo’. And the logo is ‘Navana’. Navana is a name to talk about in the transport sector of the country. Navana is the symbol of modernism and dependability. This modernism and dependability have not been limited within transport sector only but has been extended to all the constituent firms including Navana Real Estate and Navana Furnishers Ltd. Mr. Kamal is by heart and soul, a complete modern man. Development of standard of life and modernization has been taken up by him as a kind of welfare oriented work of the people. In line with such thoughts and continuity he established Navana Real Estate which by blend of taste and aristocracy brought within the reach of the people of this country information of dream-habitat, ultra modern furniture manufacturing firm Navana Furnishers Ltd., possessors of high-standard and taste, which has brought change in home decorations. Mr. Kamal has proved if one is endowed with honesty, devotion and sincerity he does not need to run after profit just like a mad rather a businessman gets established due to honest investment and commercial activities close to the society.

Apart from transport sector, Mr.Kamal is a successful entrepreneur of many streams. He is one of the sponsor-directors of IFIC Bank. Apart from that in Navana Group there are quite a few consumer products including Pharmaceuticals. For his contributions in a comprehensive manner particularly for rendering of services in transport sector in order to take the same to a unique stage he has been nominated as one of the top entrepreneurs of the year 2003 and best of the year personality in the years 2004,2005,2006.

Shah A. Sarwar

Economy indicates power of the backbone of any country. And banking sector of the country controls economic activities. Mr. Shah A. Sarwar is a bright star in the banking sector of Bangladesh. In the 25 year long and successful banking career, he performed responsibilities in four international institutions ANZ Grind lays Bank,   Standard Chartered Bank, American Express Bank and IPDC for 25 years with own talent, competence and prudence. As a skilled professional officer his reputation is well-famed in banking sector. In long experience he closely supervised country’s banking and financial sectors. In that light, with the confidence of advancing forward, he attached himself with UCB. At present he is the Additional Managing Director of United Commercial Bank Ltd.,

Mr.Sarwar performed skillful roles in Corporate and Consumer Business, Credit Risk Management, Operations Management, Business Process Re-engineering, ICT, Project Management etc.;   He received experience and tuition in almost all fields of Banking sector. Shah A. Sarwar is optimistic in the matter of enriching the economy of Bangladesh by identifying promising industrial sectors of industrially backward Bangladesh, reviving and investing in rising industries and then putting those on strong foundation. Simultaneously he is eager to raise investments in new sectors including SME, Consumer Finance, Wealth Management and Capital Market Operations. Then not only by investments in several sectors, but he is also equally interested and enterprising to transform the fresh graduates of different Universities into skilled manpower, by appropriate training.

Uncommonly meritorious and one time skillful, sharp-witted debater Mr.Sarwar completed his institutional education in Economics and Business Administration. He was able to give priority to development thoughts in professional life because of having comprehensive ideas about the economy, society culture and mindset, values, above all living standard and conditions of our people. Unique in deeds, reluctant to publicity this achiever son of the soil has been nominated as one of the best personalities of the year by the wise Board of Juries of Arthokatha.

Shahab Sattar

Success of Air Transports in Grips

GMG Airlines is established holding a special position in air transports of the country. While thinking of private air transports in domestic and international routes, GMG’s name comes into discussions ahead of all. To the passengers in air transports whose prudence performed principal role, to take GMG to this stage of suitability he is Managing Director, Shahab Sattar. After traversing many obstacles he brought GMG to this stage of success. In competition with government owned Bangladesh Biman, more than 40 percent passengers of domestic routes has come within the capture of GMG. In this way he gradually expanded GMG and made ready for wide-ranging services. Only with two 50-seater Dash-8 aircrafts, the airline started its operations with the turn into the 21st century. At present GMG is operating their flights into more than 8 destinations. The specialty of Mr. Shahab Sattar in private air transports is such that where starting concurrently, Aero-Bengal and Air Parabat had to close down there he continually took GMG to elevated positions. His unthinkable success this way showed new directions to private sector air transportation. Not only in Air Transports, through Samah Razor Blades Industries Ltd. he took the initiatives to manufacture comparatively higher standard safety razor blades  at low price. In schooling life Mr. Shahab Sattar took degree from Dhaka University with first class first position and MBA degree from USA’s Pennsylvania University. Shahab Sattar, very meritorious in student life, stepped into business putting into work his family traditions. From then on his journey started. Professional mind, responsibility to service and attentiveness established him in the seat of business personality. For attaining success of the enterprise, he emphasizes on employee selection, formulation of planning and constant endeavor of development. Apart from Samah Razor Blades and GMG Airlines he is Chairman and Managing Director respectively of GMG Industrial Corporation and Bangladesh Steel Company. Under his skilled management, GMG is also carrying passengers in international routes now. Mr. Shahab Sattar, idol of success in private air transportation has been nominated as one of the top personalities in consideration of his special contributions. In future economic constructions of Bangladesh, also in other productive sectors touch of his success would be extended- such is our expectations. Sincere greetings to Mr. Shahab Sattar.

Shaikh Seraj

The most neglected sector of agro-based Bangladesh is Agriculture. The country whose 80% people are dependent upon agriculture, in that country most neglected are agriculture and farmer. The man who has brought this agriculture into the luminosity of feet lamp, he has sacrificed almost his entire life for agriculture sector, farmer and development of the country; he is an exceptional man, our much known face, most dear Shaikh Seraj. Country-wide famous this mass media and agricultural development personality was born on 7th September 1954. Mr. Shaikh Seraj, who did Masters in Geography, was linked with journalism from his student life. Though he started his mass media life by presenting entertainment and development oriented programs, his wide familiarity and success came through ‘Mati O Manush’. On 21st February 2004 with information on contemporary agricultural economy and development, he started documentary program ‘Ridoye Mati O Manusher’. Through this program, he projected the pictures of successes in agriculture, technological developments of Bangladesh as well as other Asian countries developed agriculturally. Another successful program through ‘Ridoye Mati O Manusher Dak’ he facilitated a face to face discussion of explanations between   a farmer of grass root level and a Policy-maker for the first time. Very recently he has started another program under own presentation, direction and  planning, ‘Krishi Dibanishi’ on Bangladesh Television, in order to spread amongst common man of the country various information on Modern Agricultural Science, Technology, environment, agricultural trade, market management and various areas of rural life. One of the Managing Directors of ‘Channel I’ first digital channel of the country, Shaikh Seraj has kept himself devoted in multifarious activities, to take ahead policy level thoughts on agriculture and that of extension to meet the demand for tomorrow’s food of continually rising population of the least developed and developing countries, to bring in front of everybody the problems and successes of agriculture thus of rural life, the main area of economic development of the country. In recognition of his contributions in agricultural development, he received most prestigious national award of the country ‘Ekushey Padak’ in shortest time in the year 1994.This indisputable   entrepreneur man of devoted life to agricultural revolution in Bangladesh has been nominated as the best ‘Agricultural Personality of the Year’ by Arthokatha’s wise Board of Juries considering his contributions.