Mr. Salman F Rahman, Chairman
Mr. Salman F Rahman is the Deputy Chairman of the Beximco Group, the largest private sector industrial conglomerate in Bangladesh with a turnover of Tk 16.5 billion and 22,000 employees. Mr. Rahman has played a pioneer role in spearheading the development of the countries pharmaceutical sector. He is the Chairman of the Board of Editors of The Daily Independent. Mr. Rahman was the President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is the apex trade body of the region. He was also the President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), and Chairman of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA). Mr. Rahman is Chairman of Abahani Club Ltd., the premier sporting club of the country.
Mr. Ragib Ali, Member
Mr. Ragib Ali is the Chairman of Sylhet Tea Company Ltd. and several other tea estates in Sylhet and Chittagong. He is also the Managing Director of Kohinoor Industries Ltd. and TLRA Holdings Ltd (owner of Kohinoor Detergent Factory). He served as Chairman of South-East Bank Limited. Mr. Ali is a highly respected figure in the business community, he has played a pioneering role in the tea industry. He is actively involved in charitable activities and has set up numerous trusts and educational institutions. He was also the Chairman of North South University Foundation.
Mr. Khan Md. Ameer, Member
Mr. Khan Mohammad Ameer is the Chairman and Managing Director of Padma Group of Companies comprising eleven companies. Padma Printers ltd, a member of this group played a pioneering role in the printing sector and is one of the biggest printers of its kind. Some of the companies of the Padma group are: Padma Poly Cotton Knit Fabrics Ltd, Padma Color Lab Ltd, Eunoos Trade Centre, Health and Hygiene, Mega Technologies, Ameer Tex Ltd. He is also sponsor Director of Pragati Insurance Ltd. A well known photographer, Mr. Ameer has published a highly acclaimed book Rain and River a photographic profile on Bangladesh.
Mr. A Matin Chowdhury, Member
Mr. A. Matin Chowdhury is the Managing Director of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd., Malik Spinning Mills Ltd., Knit Asia Ltd and New Asia Ltd. He has served as a Chairman of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA). Mr. Chowdhury is involved with many other organisations working in the areas of human resources development and health care. He was the Chairperson of the Under Privileged Children's Education Programme (UCEP). He is a Board Member of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB). Mr. Chowdhury is a founder member of the governing council of Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB).
Mr. Tapan Chowdhury, Member
Mr. Tapan Chowdhury is the Managing Director of Square Pharmaceutical Ltd and Square Textiles Limited, which are among the largest enterprises in their respective sectors. He is also the Chairman of Shelltech Private Ltd, a leading real estate and property development company. Mr. Chowdhury is the Director of Square Toiletries Ltd, Pioneer Insurance Ltd, Continental Hospital Ltd. and several other companies. Mr. Chowdhury was a President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Young Man Christian Association (YMCA) and Vice-President of Bangladesh Baptist fellowship. He was also Executive Committee Member of the Bangladesh Employers Association, and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association. Mr. Chowdhury was the Member of the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh.
Mr. Elthem B Kabir, Member
Mr. Elthem B Kabir is the Managing Director of Resource Applications Ltd. and Amfico Motors Limited. Resource Applications Ltd. is involved in the private power and infrastructure related sector and Amfico Motors Ltd. is the country distributor of Hyundai Motor Company. Mr. Kabir was the Vice Chairman of IFIC Bank Ltd. He is the Chairman of Society for Promotion of Bangladesh Art. Mr. Kabir is a graduate of George Washington University, USA.
Mr. Minhaz Kamal Khan, Member
Minhaz Kamal Khan is the director of Minhaz Group and managing director of Minhaz Continental agencies. He is also sponsor director of NCCBL and advisor to the MBA club north south university.
Mr. Md Rafiqul Haque, Member
Mr. Md. Rafiqul Haque is the CEO and Director of Tallu Spinning Mills Ltd, a leading textile mill of the country. He is also the CEO of Mithun Knitting and Dyeing Ltd., Toyo Composite Knit Garments Ltd. and Bangas Ltd. He is actively involved in the development of the backward and forward linkages of the textile sector of Bangladesh. Mr. Haque is the Managing Director & CEO of Radio Today, the first-ever private FM band radio channel in Bangladesh.
Mr. S M Abdul Mannan, Member
Mr. S M Abdul Mannan is Managing Director of Techo Foki (BD) Ltd. Mr. Mannan is engaged in business since last 27 years in different sectors such as Construction, Industry, Garments, Private Hospital, Insurance, Bank, Leasing, Real Estate and Export & Import. He is also Director of Premier Leasing Ltd., Mercantile Bank Ltd., Delta Medical Centre, Delta Spinners Ltd. and Global Insurance Ltd. He is Executive Committee Member of Kurmitola Golf Club Ltd. life Member of Fu-Wang Club and President of Singair Shamity. He was elected President of Gulshan Club Ltd., one of the most prestigious clubs in Dhaka. Currently he is the Member of the National Parliament.
Mr. A S F Rahman , Member
Mr. A S F Rahman is the Chairman of the Beximco Group, the largest private sector industrial conglomerate in Bangladesh. with a turnover of Tk 16.5 billion and 22,000 employees.In recognition of its export performance, Beximco was awarded the Presidents Export Trophy class 1 for several years. Some of the leading companies of the Beximco Group of which Mr. Rahman is the Chairman include Beximco Holdings Ltd., Beximco Synthetics Ltd., Beximco Foods Ltd., Beximco Agro-chemicals Ltd., Beximco Apparels Ltd., Beximco Infusions Ltd., Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and Shinepukur Holdings Ltd.
Mr. Zulfiquar Rahman, Member
Mr. Zulfiquar Rahman is the Managing Director of Greenland Garment Limited. It is the first ISO 9002 certified RMG factory in Bangladesh. Mr. Rahman was a lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka. After teaching for several years, he entered business and served as a consultant for bilateral and multilateral donor assisted consultancy projects as a Specialist in Economics.
Mr. Abdul Hai Sarkar, Member
Mr. Abdul Hai Sarkar is the Managing Director of several Textile Mills, including Shohagpur Textiles Mills, Karim Textile Ltd., Karim Spinning Mills Ltd and Purbani Fabrics Ltd. He is also involved in export of fish products. Mr. Sarkar was the Chairman of Dhaka Bank Limited. Mr. Sarkar is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Independent University. Currently, Mr. Sarker is the Chairman of Bangladesh Textile Mills Associations (BTMA), one of the largest trade body in Bangladesh.
Mr. Altaf Hossain Sarkar , Member
Mr. Altaf Hossan Sarkar is the Managing Director of Rahmat Textiles Ltd, China Plastics (BD) Ltd., Rahmat Spining Mills Ltd, Belkuchi Spinning Mills Ltd., Rahmat Sweaters Ltd., Rahman Fashion Wear Ltd., Rahmat Knit Dyeing & Finishing Ltd. and Rahmat Plastics & Accessories Ltd. Mr. Sarkar has been associated with the Textiles business for a substantial period of time and made significant contribution to the sector. Currently he is the Chairman of Dhaka Bank Ltd. and member of the Board of Trustees of the Independent University, a leading academic institution in Bangladesh.
Mr. Ramzul Seraj, Member
Mr. Ramjul Seraj is the Managing Director of Elite Group of Companies which is involved in the manufacturing of paints, RMG, iron and steel products. Mr. Seraj is also the Managing Director of Aqua Paints Limited, the largest paint manufacturer of the country. He is also involved in export of loose and packet tea. Mr. Seraj was a Vice Chairman of Arab Bangladesh Bank Limited. Mr. Seraj is a chemical engineer by education.
Mr. A K M Shamsuddoha, Member
Mr. A K M Shamsuddoha is the Chairman of Dohatec New Media (a Microsoft certified solution provider), providing service to clients in the USA. He is the Chairman of Borewell Ltd. (an engineering concern), Chief Executive of Doha Securities (stock broker) and Doha Agencies (trading). Mr. Shamsuddoha has authored many policy papers for the Government, donor agencies and trade bodies. He has represented the private sector in various national and regional forums and has been a member of several high level governmental delegations to the UN and WTO. Mr. Shamsuddoha served as a President of the National Association of Small and Cottage Industries (NASCIB), Vice President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman, Bangladesh-India Joint Business Council and Director, Janata Bank. Mr. Shamsuddoha is a Member of the Governing Council of the Independent University of Bangladesh.
Engr. M Abu Taher, Member & Treasurer
Engr M. Abu Taher is the Chairman of Fortuna Group of Industries involved in major sectors, such as, garments, leather, agro-fisheries and real estate. The Fortuna Group Ltd. comprises of nine enterprises. He is a Director of Union Capital Ltd., a leasing company. Engr. Taher has been actively involved in the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturer and Exporters Association (BGMEA) since its inception and has served in the Association in various capacities since 1985. He was elected a Director of BGMEA and served as the Chairman of the Committee on Quota Policy and Administration. He is also a former Chairman of Peoples Insurance Company Ltd. Engr. Taher is actively involved in charitable activities and has set up numerous trusts and schools.
Mr. Farooq Sobhan, Ex-officio Member
Ambassador Farooq Sobhan is the President and CEO of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) which was established in October 2000. BEI is an independent research institute committed to the development of the private sector in Bangladesh and which is involved in a variety of research projects relating to the improvement of the investment climate in Bangladesh, the development of the SME sector, Public-Private partnerships, regional cooperation in South Asia, Indo-Bangladesh relations, Sino-Bangladesh relations, and also work on Counter Terrorism in Bangladesh. BEI also serves as a regular platform for dialogue between the government and the private sector on various policy issues of concern to the private sector.
Mr. Sobhan was Executive Chairman, Board of Investment (BOI) and Special Envoy to the Prime Minister 1997-1999 and Foreign Secretary 1995-1997. He has also served as Ambassador/High Commissioner to India, China, Malaysia and the United Nations. He visited Washington and the United Nations in New York in May 2007 as the Special Envoy of the Present Caretaker Government, with the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister.
He served as Chairman of the Group of 77 at the UN 1982-1983, and was Chairman, UN Commission on TNCs 1991-1992. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the South Asia Centre for Policy Studies (SACEPS), based in Kathmandu and was Co-Chairman of the Coalition for South Asian Co- operation (CASAC) from 1994-2001. He was a visiting professor at the Elliott School for International Affairs at George Washington University in 2003, where he taught a post graduate course on South Asia.
Mr. Sobhan is currently a Member of the Board of Directors of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Foundation, a public-private undertaking to oversee the development of SMEs in Bangladesh. He is also a Member of the Board of Directors of the Chittagong Stock Exchange and a Member of the Steering Committee of Local Enterprise Investment Centre (LEIC). Mr. Sobhan is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the independent Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), established in Dhaka in September 2007. He is the Chairman of a high level Task Force on Counter Terrorism established in 2006, which includes several senior persons from the govt., including the armed forces and the police.
Mr. Sobhan has been a key-note speaker on various aspects of private sector development at conferences organised by the World Bank, IFC and DFID. He has over the years served on a number of international panels and advisory committees. He is currently a Member of the International Advisory Committee of the Asia Society in the U.S., the Round Table in the U.K. and the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit also in the U.K. He is a Patron of the Ramphal Centre in London. He chaired the Task Force established by the Asia Foundation in 2004 on “The US Role in South Asia”.
Mr. Sobhan has written extensively on international affairs and relations. His publications include a book entitled “Opportunities for South-South Co-operation” and as co-author, “Shaping South Asia’s Future: Role of Regional Co-operation”. He has edited the following BEI publications: “Strengthening Cooperation and Security in South Asia Post 9/11”, “ Bangladesh-India Dialogue: Vision of Young Leaders”, “Dynamics of Bangladesh-India Relations: Dialogue of Young Journalists Across the Border”, “A Comparative Analysis of Corporate Governance in South Asia: Charting a Roadmap for Bangladesh” “Reducing the Cost of Doing Business in Bangladesh”, “Study of e-Commerce in Bangladesh”, “Study of e-Government in Bangladesh”, and “Countering Terrorism in Bangladesh”.