ABDUL AWAL MINTOO

Abdul Awal Mintoo is such a name, which does not need any separate credentials or introduction, either ahead or to follow. He is an entrepreneurial personality and the twice elected former President of FBCCI, the apex trade body of business people. He is widely known in business circles nationally and internationally. Entrepreneur of more than one industrial enterprises Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo is the CEO of Multimode, trade and industrial group famous countrywide. The enterprises included in Multimode Group are Multimode Limited, Multimode Transport Consultants Limited, K&Q (Bangladesh) Limited, A&A Investments Limited, Dulah Miah Cotton Spinning Mills Ltd., Lal Teer Seed Ltd., North South Seed Limited, Chence Crop Limited, Proton Service Center Ltd., Microsoft Distribution Ltd., NFM Ltd., MNT Life Science Centre, MNT Institute of Life Science and Bio-Technology, NF Consumers Limited, Multiplex Services Ltd., NFM Energy Limited, Jongbo-Multimode Chemicals Ltd. and many other enterprises. In addition to those he is one of the entrepreneurs of Jamuna Resort Ltd., National Bank Ltd., Progati Insurance Ltd., Progati Life Insurance Ltd., and Heidelberg Cement Ltd. One by one, each of his enterprises is such that each one is scaling up on new horizons. He is a successful man not only in terms of business and leadership but also he is a creative writer, researcher and societal analyst. The book “Bangladesh: Anatomy of Change” published in 2004 authored by him is an outstanding addition highlighting the future of Bangladesh. Very much far-sighted, sharply talented, modern, assertive and a skilled businessman Mr.Mintoo was graduated in Nautical Science from Chittagong Marine Academy in 1968 and in Marine Transportation Science from New York State University in 1973 and obtained MSC degree in Marine Transportation Management from the same University in 1977. In 1974 he completed Advanced Chartering and Arbitration graduation and advanced course. Mr.Mintoo is well aware about the responsibilities to the society. Mr.Mintoo is sufficiently conscious about the responsibility to the society. From Corporate Social Responsibility and sense of conscience he has raised and simultaneously he is patronizing Mintoo-Nasrin Trust, Iqbal Memorial Degree College, Badrennesa High School, Hajee Shafiullah High School, Daghonbhuiya Girls High School and many other educational & social welfare organizations. Despite his being a very significant entrepreneur of private sector, he played a defining role as a policy maker in many important institutions of the Government with loyalty. He was rewarded with special recognition and tribute for his enormous deeds. In 1997 his colorful life sketch was included in the 14th edition of Marquis who’s who in the world. In personal life truthful, soft-spoken, human-lover and social server Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo today, is not only a very familiar name, but also a huge institution in Bangladesh. For his unique contributions “the Arthokatha” declared him best talked about man of the year in 1998, special achievement award in 2002 and year’s best business leader in 2003 and 2004 and was nominated for special achievement awards in 2005 and 2006.

Abdul Hai Sarkar

As a distinguished entrepreneur and industrialist in textile industry of the country who has been able to attract attention of all he is Abdul Hai Sarkar. His father is Late Abdul Karim Sarkar. Mr. Abdul Hai Sarkar was born on 15th December 1946.He completed his education in Dhaka. In the year 1970 he completed Masters in Management from Dhaka University. On completion of his education life, he got himself involved in various businesses of national and international field. Due to his honesty, skillfulness and competent leadership, he slowly established a trade and industrial group like Purbani Group of Industries. At present he is the Chairman and Managing Director of Purbani Group. Many of his industries are occupied in exports of Fish, Readymade Garments, as well as Cotton and Acrylic Yarn, Dyed Yarn, Knit-Dyed, Finished Fabrics. By realizing the importance of financial sector in mobilization of capital, this entrepreneur of repute raised modern banking institution like Dhaka Bank Limited. He is the founder Chairman of this Bank. He performed responsibilities as Vice Chairman of the institution of entrepreneurs in banking sector, Bangladesh Association of Banks. Investment in his Purbani Group exceeded US Dollar 70 Million. Employment of 5000 skilled, semi-skilled officers and employees took place in various firms of this group. Annual turn over of Purbani Group is about 65 Million Dollar in direct and deemed export operations. In national revenue income the Purbani group’s single annual contribution exceeds 16 Million Taka. In the financial year 2006-2007 this group paid revenue of 15.84 Million Taka. By taking up responsibilities as President of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, Mr. Abdul Hai Sarkar performed significant responsibilities in the development of textile industry. At present by export of textiles and associated industrial products 78 % of total export earnings are being earned. An employment generation of 4.5 Million officers and workers took place in this sector whose 80% are women. From 199? upto 2007 in more than one era, investment of 3.5 billion euro took place in this sector. During this time capacity of textile production rose from 1260 Million to 3500 Million meter. Everybody believes under the leadership of Mr. Abdul Hai Sarkar, textile industry sector of the country would be more dynamic in near future.  Mr. Abdul Hai Sarkar supposes in coming year multifaceted challenge prevails in front of textiles sector. Expiry of safeguard measures on china, abidance of labor compliance, environment issue, product diversification, EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, EU-India Free Trade Agreement, will create challenges in textile sector of Bangladesh. As a distinguished entrepreneur in country’s textile industry sector Mr. Abdul Hai Sarkar’s contributions are extraordinary. We are feeling ourselves honored by being able to nominate this entrepreneur personality as the best personality of the year.

Abdul Khaleque Pathan

With vision and mission, one can reach the top of success-Mr. Abdul Khaleque Pathan is the real example of this saying, who is Chairman and Managing Director of Khaleque Group of Companies. Due to endeavor, devotion, talent and hard labor of founder person this industrial group, famous for Keya Cosmetics spread out throughout the country- who considers life as the greatest teacher of life, fighting in hard realities with the extracts of life enlightened his own life and the world around with light. He never took shelter of fancies to touch the golden deer of success rather like emergence of ocean from drops, little by little with tireless labor, has taken position on the top today by riding the steps of development bit by bit.

Only with 600 taka- the working life, which agitated with storms commenced, today that has become an industrial group of crores of Taka. Firewood, fish farming, taking up a job in brick field and later establishing a brickfield of own and the time in between is how laborious and of sweats that is not realizable. But the story afterwards is of success only. Later one by one, knitting and dyeing industry, setting up garments industry, establishment of Keya Cosmetics in Cosmetics Industry which raised uproar -these are all signs of rise. Even at present, Khaleque group is taking up industrial initiatives one after one. Outspoken, honest and liberal minded this great personality arriving at resourceful present have not forgotten his struggling past and he has no inferiority in expressing the same. Simultaneously he sees the dream of brighter future. Self created; self-sufficient this entrepreneur personality felt that the local market of cosmetics is getting flooded with imports. In trade deficit with almost all countries, huge money of Bangladesh is going abroad from this sector. And to block unfelt removal of this huge money abroad, domestic cosmetic sector should be developed and enriched. From this realization he established ‘Keya Cosmetics Ltd.’ Keya Cocoanut oil, Talcum Powder, Laundry Soap, Detergents –all these products came into the list of choice of the people of this country in a very short time. And in continuity of the same rapid growth of Keya Cosmetics Ltd., took place. The Company brought in new dimensions in publicity of merchandises. Emphasizing the subject of demand of the people with more experiments, examinations this creative young entrepreneur is taking Khaleque Group ahead at a faster pace. Considering his continual labor, perseverance and success, this competent descent of the nation Abdul Khaleque Pathan, who is the source of inspiration of youth generation, and symbol of entrepreneurship, Arthokatha’s Special Achievement Awards in the years 2001 and 2002 and Best of the Year- one of the top entrepreneur Awards has been provided to him in the year 2003. In addition to that he achieved the pride of achieving nomination of Best of the Year Personality of Cosmetics Sector in the year 2005 and Best of the Year Industrial Personality of the Year in the year 2006.

Abdul Monem

Symbol of successful entrepreneurship in the domain of commerce and industry of the country is Abdul Monem. This entrepreneur personality, who is very hard-working, skilled and far-sighted, started his business life through construction jobs of small aspects. Appearance of Abdul Monem Limited in the year 1956 smoothed its way for advancing institutionally. Undertaking responsibilities of very big jobs through this organization, he gained prominence as a successful entrepreneur. Dhaleshwari Bridge, Asian Highway and Khulna-Mongla large road infrastructure were all constructed with the initiative of Abdul Monem Limited. Not only at home, but also abroad, this company gained fame by constructing high quality roads and multistoried buildings. His company successfully accomplished more than one Roads and multistoried constructions in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In addition to that at local level, Abdul Monem Ltd. is performing for the maintenance of important structures such as Jamuna Bridge. After extensive success in construction, he set instances of unthinkable success in Soft Drinks and Ice Cream Industry. Enviable popular products like Coca-cola, Fanta and Sprite are results of his successful entrepreneurship. In continuity with record-breaking success in Soft Drinks his Company made different Ice-Creams of popular Igloo brand. Apart from that Igloo Butter, Ghee and pasteurized Amomilk are popular products of this group. Abdul Monem has extensive success even in trading and distribution. Possessor of extensive success and reputation in area of activities, Abdul Monem’s stage of rise was very adverse and challenging.  He came to Dhaka from Comilla with only Tk.70/= in his pocket as only property. Though he got a job as Section Officer of Government Construction Office, he resigned and went down to business. Firm self-determination, hard practice and far-sighted steps brought for him recognition as one of the top leading entrepreneur personality. All-time vigorous with work, this industrious entrepreneur personality received countless honors. In other way in compliance to corporate social responsibility he established various social service organizations including A Monem High School, A Monem College, A Monem Stadium, Orphanage and Madrasha. He regularly provides financial support in these areas through Abdul Monem Foundation. This success achieved by Mr.Abdul Monem does not only belong to him, but belongs to the motherland, people of the country and the upcoming new generation. We are also feeling proud by giving him nomination for the best entrepreneur personality of the year. We have sincere greetings and wishes for Mr.Abdul Monem.

Afroz Rahim

The name of Rahim Afroz- the enterprise, manufacturing accumulator batteries, well-known for Lucas, is intermingled with history and tradition of the energy sector of the country. Not only in the country, Rahim Afroz Ltd., is now a  worldwide acclaimed  institution-whose accumulator battery found market in many countries. Chairman of the flourishing enterprise of the energy sector is famous entrepreneur personality Afroz Rahim. This entrepreneur personality was able to realize, long ago that no development is possible without energy. Specially there is no alternative to get elevated to the level of developed countries without energy. He worked hard days after days for the development of this sector. The yield of his perseverance, ‘Lucas’ solar PV process, solar panel, solar battery are today considered as steer of development flow of Bangladesh today. As Rahim Afroz products are of international standard, in many countries including Pakistan, Dubai, India ‘Made in Bangladesh’ scribed ‘Lucas’ has huge rant and rave. This elevation of ‘Rahim Afroz’ as a top institution has not been achieved in a day. Behind this are labor-sweat and history of magical expedition in dreams. Distinguished industrial entrepreneur A.C. Abdur Rahim received a registration of the then joint stock Company under the name and style Rahim Afroz (Pak) Ltd., as a trading company in the year 1954.That was the onset of an industry. From then on Rahim Afroz produced a revolution in the energy sector of Bangladesh. Rahim Afroz Group commenced development and application of research oriented work in power resources of the country. Because Mr. Rahim Afroz was able to realize that in order to make survival possible he must be able to make quality products. Customers always feel at ease to purchase good and high quality products.

By establishing factory for manufacturing Solar PV process, Solar Panel and Solar Battery this group took an epoch-making step undoubtedly. Today-the villages where there is no electricity connection, there now it has become possible to generate electricity through Solar PV process. Dark village localities are becoming illuminated.

In this way, Rahim Afroz could have significant contributions in this country’s economy. Specially in energy sector, this organization has brought this country’s potential into the main stream of 21st Century. Rahim Afroz Limited and Afroz Rahim family are performing significant role as one of the forces in industrialization of Bangladesh, which would be written in the history of industrialization in golden letters.  

Ahmed Abou Doma

Banglalink is one of those institutions who are well-regarded in the minds of the people by achieving the confidence of innumerable customers. Present subscriptions count of the country’s second biggest, this mobile company is now about 1.5 Cr. Banglalink is one of the mentionable institutions even in the area of ascertaining highest foreign investment in the country. Through this company foreign investment has exceeded Tk.7000 Cr. into the country. Though the company has not yet seen profit, it is holding firm position in the area of competitive customer service. Under whose leadership in Bangladesh market this advanced journey of Banglalink is taking place, he is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ahmed Abou Doma. In January 2009 he joined as CEO of Orascom Telecom Limited. Prior to that he performed as Marketing Director of Mobinil managed under the supervision of Orascom Telecom in Egypt. Under his leadership, Mobinil was able to provide leadership in market in competition with other operator Vodafone in Egypt. In 5 years from 2003 to 2008 Mobinil raised its subscription count from 2.7 million to 20 million. Professional life of Ahmed Abou Doma started in the year 1993 at the Information Technology machinery manufacturing company IBM. In the year 1996 he joined Datum Ids. That was the first time internet communication system was introduced in Egypt. Under the leadership of Abou Doma, the company was able to determine the basic policies and establish the basis of Internet business in Egypt’s market. To establish himself as a professional person of market development, in the year 1998 he joined Mobinil as a Market Development Manager. At that time he had significant roles in determining subscribers’ tariff for postpaid and prepaid services. In the year 2000, responsibilities were bestowed upon him as Senior Market Manager of Planning and Development Department of the same Company. Apart from that he performed responsibilities of planning and budget formulations of the company with market research included. In the year 2001 Abou Doma had the opportunity to perform responsibilities in Mobinil’s Market Strategy Determination and Analysis, Strategic Marketing, Service Price Determination and work in Customer Development Management.

Born in Cairo, Egypt Abou Doma obtained graduation from Electronics and Communications Engineering Department of Cairo University in the year 1992. In recognition of having significant contributions in telecom sector, he received special status Award ‘Telecom Business Planning” by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) of Switzerland. Abou Doma accomplished International Executive Program (IEP) from INSEAD Business School Singapore and France. He is a Member of various marketing committees at domestic level as well as internationally. According to Abou Doma, Government should pursue policies assistive to foreign investments so that foreign investments are eased up in mobile companies including other fields.

Ahmed Akber Sobhan

In a country of dense unemployment like Bangladesh, revolution of provision of about one hundred thousand people has been accomplished in which vast business empire, that one is named Bashundhara Group. Bashundhara, possessor of vast unique characteristic features in housing industry, raised by private initiative in country’s private sector.  Bashundhara’s success has not been limited within housing sector only, but extended into various other branches of business. The man who has performed unique leadership and robust role, behind this success and competence, he is the Chairman of Bashundhara Group, Ahmad Akbar Sobhan. Country-wide famous and praised, this industrial entrepreneur, possessor of special skills, adds multidimensionalism in development economics of Bangladesh. In whatever entrepreneurship, he placed his hand that has been able to open up the doors of golden possibilities. His intellect, devotion, skill, competent leadership and sincere efforts have transformed an industrial unit into a countrywide famous vast group. Adept in exceptional entrepreneurship, Mr. Sobhan’s another unique achievement; a mega project in the area of construction industry is Bashundhara City. Bashundhara City rose as the subcontinent’s biggest and world’s one of the 12 large shopping malls. Bashundhara City is a shopping centre of international standard comprising of food court, theme park, multi screen cinema, fitness center, which has by now received appellation as Asia’s surprise. This progressive entrepreneur of first row of Bangladesh considers his own labor as the capital for his today’s position crowned with success. In his eyes hard labor is needed for success. He thinks success is inevitable when one is endowed with honesty and devotion.

Possessor of extraordinary skill, Mr. Ahmad Akber Sobhan stretched out Bashundhara Industrial Empire into huge size with his own talent, skill, honesty and attention. Let the victorious journey of his success be continued, let the country be raised in a manner suitable for 21st Century.

AZAM J.CHOWDHURY

Azam Jahangir Chowdhury, the man behind Eastcoast Group, is ceaselessly having significant contributions in different sectors including Energy, Power, Tea, Mining, Hydrogen Processing, Real Estate, Banking, Insurance, Finance and Shipping. Famous amongst the business community as a challenging personality, Ajam J. Chowdhury for the first time set up business of fuel oil transportation and supply in 1979 on his own initiative. Later on, in joint venture with Jamuna Oil Company and world’s biggest Oil Company Exxon Mobil he structured a Lub Oil blending plant in private sector of Bangladesh. In addition to capturing highest position in Bangladesh market ‘Mobil lubricants’ produced in this project are meeting the demand of high quality lubricants of companies from home and abroad. Side by side work is going on at the Mongla port, for establishment of a big Petroleum Product Terminal which would be able to meet the requirements of petroleum products of Nepal together with Northern Bangladesh. Apartfrom the same out of his own endeavor, Mr.Chowdhury set up three Power Generation Plants of total capacity 610 MW with each of 210 MW power in joint collaboration with Messrs Technogram Export, Russia’s biggest power engineering company. He is a former Director of Ekushe Television Limited and Delta Brac Housing Corporation Ltd., simultaneously he is having notable role in structuring famous institutions in private sector like Prime Bank, Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd., Progressive Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Prime Finance and Investment Ltd., and Union Capital Ltd. At present he is a Director of Depository Bangladesh Limited. By this time after appointment as Honorary Consul of Hungarian Government he is contributing with significant role in enhancing trade and commerce in between Bangladesh and Hungary. He was nominated for Special Achievement Award of Arthokatha by Arthokatha’s Jury Board for his grand achievements in development institutions which include Trade and Industry, Bank and Insurance companies. Apart from that he was nominated as one of the super-excellent Entrepreneurs in 2004, and Best Personality of the year in 2006.

Alamgir Kabir  

May be many see the dream of self-dependent, self-reliant Bangladesh, but very few run the effort to materialize that dream. Again a few fortunate people, who can be counted by hand, become successful in that dream. One amongst such a few fortunate successful men is   the dream king Alamgir Kabir. Director of Crown Cement. Cement Industry is one of the growing sectors in which Bangladesh is slowly advancing forward. Cement is one of the most demanding construction items of Bangladesh. From today, about 7/8 years ago, where Bangladesh used to import about 80% of the cement requirements, there today Bangladesh is exporting cement. And crown cement added this extraordinary success story with the name Bangladesh. They were able to export Bangladesh product, cement to foreign market for the first time, those who are intimately associated with establishment of the company and its extent, Mr. Alamgir Kabir is one of them. Notable that his eldest brother Chairman of Crown cement, Mr. Jahangir Alam and his father-like maternal uncle     Managing Director of the Company Alhaj Mohd. Khabiruddin Mollah worked as ‘greatest of all power’ behind his success. By being involved in the business of construction materials at one stage he found that in Bangladesh demand of Portland cement is very high, which is entirely import-dependent. As a result, in the field of business, in one way as money and time is getting wasted like that in other way it was not always possible to ensure quality of goods. All these adversities, did not lessen their journey of life, rather encouraged it. Establishment of world class ‘crown’ cement factory at home, progress and nonstop success is his great achievement. In this project of about Tk. 210 Cr. at present Crown Cement is manufacturing CEM-II/AM Grade-42.5 Portland composite cement in accordance with BDS EN-197-1:2003 which is internationally accepted standard as per European norms. This cement is very effective in resisting sulphur, ammonia and salinity, for that reason very effective for under ground basement, roof casting and bridge. For appropriate reasons, this cement has received wide acceptability amongst the people of Bangladesh.   

Present annual production capacity of the factory is 840,000 Metric Ton cement. As a result besides meeting demand at home, import expenditure has been reduced by Tk.500 Million. Rather through export foreign exchange is coming to home, which is making the domestic economy dynamic, employment has been generated for 825 families. On the other hand for being manufactured at home, domestic consumers are getting benefited due to purchase of cement at a price cheaper than before; product of international standard and ensuring highest service to the consumers, setting these two objectives   Mr. Alamgir Kabir advanced ahead with his foresight, skill, talent and endeavor, he has raised Bangladesh together with Crown Cement at a high elevation. Considering his extraordinary success Arthokatha’s wise Jury Board nominated him in advance as the best personality in the year 2006, for that greeting to him from the Arthokatha family.

Ali Reza Ifthekhar

Ali Reza Ifthekhar is one of a few banking personalities whose contributions are to be accredited in the IT-dependent banking activities of the country. At the moment this banker personality is performing responsibilities as the Managing Director of Eastern Bank Ltd. His banking career started in the year 1984 by his joining of Arab Bangladesh Bank Ltd. Later he worked at BCCI Bank and Indosuez Bank. In the year 1999 he took up the responsibilities of Dhaka Zone Corporate Banking of Standard Chartered Bank. In recognition of his success here he received the responsibilities of Dubai Zone of the same Bank. Later returning from there he received the responsibilities again of the credit department at the Head Office. He received the same tasks when Standard Chartered and Grindlays commenced unified activities after merger. With 18 years experience in various areas of Banking he joined as Senior Executive Vice President of Arab Bangladesh Bank. In light of long experience Mr. Ali Reza Ifthekhar introduced quite a few new schemes at this Bank. By joining Eastern Bank Ltd., in 2004 he transformed this Bank into one of a few top Banks of the private sector steadily. In 2007 the Board of Directors accorded him the responsibility of CEO of the Bank. Due to skilled leadership of Mr. Ali Reza Ifthekhar the Eastern Bank turned into one of a few choice Banks of depositors and entrepreneur investors.   Mr. Ali Reza Ifthekhar was able to play talked about role in IT-dependent Banking covering Consumer Banking, SME Finance, investments in Export oriented Industry. Under his leadership, in light of central Bank and Government’s policy, Eastern Bank is moving ahead to invest in rural farming sector. Mr. Ali Reza Ifthekhar, a banker enriched with experience of about two eras, has been nominated as one of the top a few personalities in recognition of his successful lively career. Everybody hopes Mr. Ali Reza Ifthekhar will set patterns in tomorrow’s banking activities as a person setting directives of the private sector. Under his leadership country’s banking sector will set in for more able and stiff competition in our free market economy’s competitive banking. Our expectations are such that this banker will move ahead with courageous steps in order to make use of new possibilities in new paradigm.