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.

Sheikh Bashiruddin

An advancing name in the area of trade and industrial entrepreneurship of Bangladesh is Akij Group. Competent successor to the deceased leader Sheikh Akijuddin of this group is Sheikh Bashiruddin. Advancement of Akij Group is now being directed under his leadership. Mr. Sheikh Bashiruddin joined father’s company in the year 1989 as an ordinary labor. At that time his start up salary was fixed at Taka 3 hundred only. Keeping company with Managing Director-father and simultaneously using own education, labor and talent in befitting manner gradually he took the responsibilities as Managing Director.

Keeping in consideration, globalization and realities of free market economy, Akij Group started journey anew under his leadership. At present Akij Group is expanding their activities in new-new sectors covering Medicare, IT, CNG, Education. Simultaneously new-new successes are being achieved in production and marketing. Number of working people directly connected with this group has exceeded 50 thousand. Akij Group’s contribution is increasing into the national economy every moment.  Akij Group is spreading at every stratum of national development and prosperity. Flawless role of Sheikh Bashiruddin as competent representative of Late Sheikh Akijuddin, father of this vast industrial group of several thousand crore taka which emanated from Bidi Industry of small size, creates hopes. Responsibility to create new assets, without wasting paternal assets has revealed responsible, growth oriented mental awareness of Sheikh Bashiruddin. Everybody expects as a new generation entrepreneur Sheikh Bashiruddin will raise Akij Group, through his creativity as architect of resourceful Bangladesh. In recognition of incessant contribution in country’s finance-industry and commerce by utilizing the industrial group of paternal inheritance in the services of the motherland he has been nominated as best business personality of Arthokatha. He would be the symbol of confidence and means of dependency to materialize the desire of connection of Akij Group in greater role under his leadership in the construction of future of Bangladesh. Sincere greetings and wishes to him from the family of Arthokatha.

Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman

In the expansion of trade and commerce and investment, the man who is working like a thriving young man despite himself being an elderly person he is the Chairman of countrywide famous PHP Group, Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman. PHP is a notable institution of present time, which has been able to raise storms in the system of technology and development of 21st Century. PHP’s float glass is of world class from the point of standard. Annual production capacity of this factory is 54 thousand metric tons. By this time, this float glass has got market facility in certain countries of the world.

Alhaj Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman is a humanitarian entrepreneur personality. By bearing honesty, idealism and principles, even in this critical time of globalization, the success which he has attained as a citizen of a backward third world country that is rare in this country. He structured this group with his divine contemplations and imaginations, thoughts and awareness and ideology. He believes firm faith, strenuous labor and deep patriotism is the only track to liberty. Besides looking after business activities regularly he has picked up much praise due to his role as a great donor by patronizing different mosques, madrahsas, industrial enterprises, institutions, needy humans and social development. Very beseeching, free from vanity or pride, this man senses whatever he achieved in his life has been god-gifted. These are all not for luxury and enjoyment, but for human welfare and service.   

Standing on strong base due to talent, skill and sincere endeavor of Alhaj Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, illuminated institutions of PHP group are PHP Corporation Ltd., PHP Ship Breaking and Re-cycling Industries Ltd., PHP Cold Rolling Mills Ltd., PHP Fittles Ltd., PHP Continuous Galvanizing Mills Ltd., PHP Float Glass Industries Ltd., PHP Shipping Lines Ltd., PHP Power Company Ltd., PHP Fisheries Ltd., PHP Rubber Plantation Ltd., Bay Terminal and Distribution Company Ltd., PHP has established  University of International Technology Services(UITS) to spread education fitting the needs of 21st Century. The main philosophy of Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman is beauty and truth, whatever hard it is, should be accepted.

Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman

In the expansion of trade and commerce and investment, the man who is working like a thriving young man despite himself being an elderly person he is the Chairman of countrywide famous PHP Group, Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman. PHP is a notable institution of present time, which has been able to raise storms in the system of technology and development of 21st Century. PHP’s float glass is of world class from the point of standard. Annual production capacity of this factory is 54 thousand metric tons. By this time, this float glass has got market facility in certain countries of the world.

Alhaj Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman is a humanitarian entrepreneur personality. By bearing honesty, idealism and principles, even in this critical time of globalization, the success which he has attained as a citizen of a backward third world country that is rare in this country. He structured this group with his divine contemplations and imaginations, thoughts and awareness and ideology. He believes firm faith, strenuous labor and deep patriotism is the only track to liberty. Besides looking after business activities regularly he has picked up much praise due to his role as a great donor by patronizing different mosques, madrahsas, industrial enterprises, institutions, needy humans and social development. Very beseeching, free from vanity or pride, this man senses whatever he achieved in his life has been god-gifted. These are all not for luxury and enjoyment, but for human welfare and service.   

Standing on strong base due to talent, skill and sincere endeavor of Alhaj Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, illuminated institutions of PHP group are PHP Corporation Ltd., PHP Ship Breaking and Re-cycling Industries Ltd., PHP Cold Rolling Mills Ltd., PHP Fittles Ltd., PHP Continuous Galvanizing Mills Ltd., PHP Float Glass Industries Ltd., PHP Shipping Lines Ltd., PHP Power Company Ltd., PHP Fisheries Ltd., PHP Rubber Plantation Ltd., Bay Terminal and Distribution Company Ltd., PHP has established  University of International Technology Services(UITS) to spread education fitting the needs of 21st Century. The main philosophy of Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman is beauty and truth, whatever hard it is, should be accepted.

Syed Abu Naser Bakhtear Ahmed

Syed Abu Naser Bakhtear Ahmed is one of those a few bankers who were capable to set successful examples of their talent and skill. In September of the year 2004, he took the responsibilities in the position of President and CEO of Agrani Bank. At that time this bank’s profit was Tk.4.5 Cr. But by December according to international accounting standard, this bank’s amount of loss stood at Tk.7.52 Cr. Naser Bakhtear is not a man to get unnerved. Profit of the organization crossed Tk.160 Cr. in subsequent 9(nine) months i.e., in September of 2005 in spite of accounting in the same method. Only after 3(three) months by closing accounts of December, this bank’s profit stood at Tk.214 Cr. By December 2006’s closing accounts this bank’s profit stood at Tk.358 Cr. This year this bank’s growth of profit was Tk.55.65 Cr, which was unprecedented. This skill of Syed Abu Naser Bakhtear Ahmed was not new. Almost in every field of professional responsibilities he demonstrated such kind of skill. His working life commenced by his joining as Grade-1 officer at State Bank of Pakistan in the year 1970.He performed as first class officer at Supervision Department of this bank from ’70 to ’71.In December 71 he joined banking control department of Bangladesh Bank. Later in the same year he joined international audit department of Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates

Their after elapse of more than two decades, he joined as Executive Vice President of Arab Bangladesh Bank in the year 1995.Here after performing responsibilities with success, in April of the year 1999 he joined as Deputy Managing Director of Prime Bank. Their after performing responsibilities with credit, he joined Southeast Bank in the month of May 2002.He performed responsibilities for more than two years as President and CEO of this Bank .During his tenure Southeast Bank became one of the banks with strong financial basis. Son of aristocratic Syed family, of village Munshepur under Kaliganj Upazilla of  Gazipore  Syed Abu Naser Bakhtear Ahmed is today a successful banker. His father’s name is Syed Mohd. Abu Syed. This accomplished banker personality obtained MBA degree in the year 1969 from Institution of Business Administration of Dhaka University in the year 1969. He kept up tireless endeavor during the tenure of his contract to reconcile liabilities management of Agrani Bank. As a result government again appointed him as CEO of this bank. For significant role in banking sector, he was nominated as one of the best personalities of the year 2007.Our sincere wishes and greetings to him.

Syed Ershad Ahmed  

In logistics solutions sector of Bangladesh, an acclaimed and distinguished entrepreneur   personality is Syed Ershad Ahmed. At present he is the Managing Director of Expeditors Bangladesh Limited. Expeditors Bangladesh Limited is a sister organization of world’s one of the large companies ‘Expeditors International of Washington Incorporated.’ Expeditors have more than 250 offices in important cities of the world.

After performing successful responsibilities in different multinational companies, for about two decades Mr. Ershad Ahmed devoted into logistic trade. He has about two decade long direct experience in this trade. Due to his skillful management Expeditors Bangladesh could have retained competitive position in other industrialized countries. Expeditors’ management skill has been proved, by way of competition with many countries including Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Mr. Ershad Ahmed thinks role of regulations is significant for restructuring of logistics sector. For that concerned people in this field, should be more attentive. Syed Ershad Ahmed performed responsibilities in significant positions, during his long working life, with diverse companies of fame including Phillips Bangladesh Limited, Singer Bangladesh Limited. Recently he has been installed as leader of AMCHAM for his appropriate roles in different fields in the area of trade and commerce. He has been nominated as one of the best personalities of the year for the year 2007 for his continuous contributions in logistics service sector. Sincere greetings and wishes to him.

Syed Manzur Elahi

The man who caught the eyes by manufacturing and supply of the shoes into the home market is Mr. Manzur Elahi, a notable entrepreneur and former adviser to Caretaker Government. Apex Footwear established by him is not only received well at home market but also in foreign markets. It can be said that the principal market of shoes manufactured by Apex Footwear is outside the country. There is no such second enterprise to collect raw hides, leather from home, process and make into shoes. For this reason this entrepreneur personality has gained exceptionality amongst many. Starting business in 1973 he built Apex Foods, Apex Tannery, Apex Footwear, and Manzur Industries in phases. He is also a founder Chairman of Pioneer Insurance Company. In addition to that he is also a Director of the owner company of the Daily Financial Express, International Publications Limited. Alongside Leather Industry, Foods, Insurance and Newspaper Industry provided him with uniqueness as investor entrepreneur. Though his success is multi-dimensional ‘Apex Footwear’ is a unique industrial enterprise. By dint of his competent leadership a standard private University like East West University could have been established. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of this University. Mr.Manzur Elahi also performed responsibilities as President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is former Director of Bangladesh Bank, Sonali Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Export Promotion Bureau. Apart from that he is dedicated into important responsibilities of International Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bangladesh Employers Federation.

A skilled and farsighted entrepreneur like Mr. Manzur Elahi is very much needed in Leather Industry where expected growth is stagnant due to lack of skilled and right entrepreneur. It is very difficult to find an experienced person in countless subjects like Banks, Insurance, Government, Administration, Business, and Industry simultaneously. Arthokatha presented him with the recognition of “Best Business Personality of the Year” in 2007 taking into consideration his contributions in country’s economy. Everybody expects his participation will be extended into industrialization and economic prosperity of upcoming Bangladesh. Mr.Manzur Elahi was honored once earlier in 2005 and more than one time earlier in similar manner. Heartiest Greetings and felicitations for and on behalf of Arthokatha to him.

Osman Morad

Osman Morad is the Chief Executive Officer of a foreign Bank Standard Chartered Bank maintaining its operations in Bangladesh. He was born in aristocratic family in London. In his academic life he completed his O and A levels from Lahore, Pakistan. Later he obtained B.A. degree twice from Punjab University as well as from USA. His professional life commenced in the year 1977 as Management Trainee of Bank of America. He worked at Middle East Banking operations, credit, corporate and institutional banking division. In the year 1987 he was holding the post First Vice President and worked as representative for Middle East, UAE and Singapore. In the year 1993 he joined as regional head of institutional banking. This time he directed business team of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka and Middle East. Later he performed as CEO in Bahrain. In the year 1994 he joined as CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh. During last three years Standard Chartered Bank attained mentionable advancement in Bangladesh due to his tough leadership. During his long banking career this banking personality received training in various significant subjects. The topics of his trainings were: International Banking and Trade Finance, Financial Analysis and Management Accounts, Advanced Credit Skills, Certified Professional of Exemplary Credit Program. He joined in significant seminars Foreign Exchange and Capital Market. He is adept in various languages including English, Urdu, French and Arabic. His contributions to let Standard Chartered Bank established in Bangladesh are immeasurable. Hearty congratulations and good wishes to this skillful executive Banker. 

Yussuf Abdullah Harun

Mr. Yussuf Abdullah Harun is one such business personality who took up the responsibility of leadership to meet the needs of country’s entrepreneurial and business society. Coming up in the leadership as the President of apex organization Federation of Chambers and Trade bodies, Mr.Yussuf Abdullah Harun established a unique model of success. An Accountant by profession, this businessman entrepreneur, is more known as a businessman than as a professional in his area of activities. For this function not only his role but also his family tradition has been helpful in many respects. His deceased father Late Harunur Rashid, an unbelievably popular leader was a Parliament Member elected thrice. Influence of his successful life undoubtedly enriched Yussuf Abdullah Harun. He is also an Adviser of SAARC Chamber.

In a special interview with Arthokatha, Yussuf Abdullah Harun told in our country price of consumer goods is an important matter.35% of people of the country lives below poverty line. A bigger portion of the population belongs to lower income and middle income groups. Government’s continuous attention is required towards control of price inflation for economic security of these people. For the need of control of price level a subsidy of Tk.2-1000 Cr. can be arranged. For this purpose it is vital to use institutions like TCB and SKS. From his long experience as a businessman, Yussuf Abdullah Harun realizes in an incomplete market that of Bangladesh it is not possible to sustain stability without the assistance of Government. Maintaining private sector in focus, Government’s continuous support can play significant role in attaining economic stability. According to him though the governmental steps to bring discipline in economy and administration  brought some difficulties, ultimately these steps will yield good outcome.

Harun says foundations for establishment of good governance and prosperity, laid by the present Government led by Sheikh Hasina Wazed will usher in a row of sustainable change. People of the country will be benefited out of this in true sense. Harun has exceptional support outside the area of business. This business leader was untiring in his endeavor to grow up as a complete man. Yussuf Harun was honored from Arthokatha a number of times. In recognition of his contributions to all-inclusive business of the country he was nominated in the year 2007 as the best Businessman. Sincere wishes and felicitations for him from the family of Arthokatha.

A.K.Azad a renowned personality in trade and industrial field. Mr. A.K.Azad is one of such a few entrepreneurs who during hard days of textiles of the country tried heart and soul towards survival of this industry. He is providing forefront leadership to almost dieing textile industry to get it established as the topmost foreign exchange earning sector. Coming out from the panic of global quota phase out, the demand of Bangladesh garments increased in Europe, United States thus in the world over. He is working tirelessly to create its market overseas by portraying the qualities of Bangladesh textiles industry. A.K.Azad was born in an aristocratic Muslim family of village Khabashpur under Sadar Upazila of Faridpore district. His father Alhaz M.A. Aziz is a universally respected personality of the Faridpur district. In his education life full of achievements A.K.Azad received an Honors degree in Applied Physics from the Dhaka University, renowned as the Oxford of the East. At the end of glorious education life he concentrated in business without depending upon employment, raised Hamim Group of Companies. He is performing as Managing Director of this group of companies. The associated companies of the Hamim Group are playing assistive role in economic development of the country. Mr.A.K.Azad, by not taking business only for profit, but for solution of unemployment problem through this enterprise, is going on with intimate hard work with the mindset to have tough role in national economy through sound growth of the textiles industry of the country.

He is providing leadership from the forefront by standing in arms with the entrepreneur businessmen of the country. He is the re-elected President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries one of the trade bodies of the industrial entrepreneurs of the country. For having special contributions in the economy of the country through trade and commerce, Mr.A.K.Azad was nominated for highest credential Commercially Important Persons (CIP) by the Government. Hamim Group is having extensive role for expansion of textile industry of the country. Mr. Azad traveled to countless countries on different occasions including trade and commerce.

This personality, successful organizer country-wide famous, amiable, arts and crafts minded and businessman, is involved with various social and cultural organizations, apart from trade and industrial enterprises. Patron of learning and amiable personality, A.K.Azad is the founder of Alhaj M.A. Aziz Junior High School in Faridpur. Apart from that he is a donor and organizer of various educational institutions, clubs, Associations and cultural organizations. Alongside trade and industry, Mr.A.K.Azad for relationships due to involvement with Media is continuing wide contributions in socio-economic development.

Courtesy: Aurthokatha

A.Rouf Chowdhury

Rangs is the name of symbol of aristocracy in the collection of electronics goods of the country, whose countrywide reputation is with the name. That Rangs Group’s Managing Director is Mr. A. Rouf Chowdhury.  Rangs means high quality products, luxury goods, cars, freeze, television and Rangs means entrepreneur with dreams A.Rouf Choudhury’s thought, knowledge, work. All the time with new thoughts, adding new dimensions to country’s trade and industry, enriched with the yield of creativity, far-reaching thoughts, those a few businessmen, who are there capable of opening doors of economic development, A.Rouf Chowdhury is the one in the list of such a few entrepreneur-businessmen. Solitary wanderer, this man always kept him behind the curtain, outside the media hype, but the vastness of his contributions in the world of electronic goods have not dimmed even a little bit for that. Not the publicity of himself, but growth of merchandises was his main target. More it can be said, fully successful with that target, due to Mr.Chowdhury’s behind the scene role today the alternative name of modernization in large industry of country is Rangs. On the top of aristocracy and excellence is Rangs, the only representative in Bangladesh of Japan’s world famous Mitsubishi. The whole of which, is the credit of one out of a few, this achiever man of the country who is the possessor of imitable credits for establishment and running of industrial enterprise of international standard. Mr.Chowdhury’s skill, farsightedness, devotion, honesty, labor and   close attention   has brought Rangs, enriched with love of people to today’s position. Glittering presence of Rangs in the small sized domain of country’s trade and industry is the contribution of Mr. A.Rouf Chowdhury. Rangs and A.Rouf Chowdhury are two sides of a single coin. Strongly confident, farsighted entrepreneur personality at the same time patriotic Mr. A. Chowdhury’s dream is a happy prosperous Bangladesh. His incessant perseverance is to fulfill that dream. He believes, one day his dream will be fulfilled.