Photo : Collected
In the upcoming twelfth parliamentary elections many business magnets are contesting to represent their constituencies. One such name is Salman F Rahman , a true visionary and business tycoon.
Salman (born 23 May 1951) is a Bangladeshi Industrialist, Business Tycoon, Politician and Incumbent Member of Parliament representing Dhaka-1 constituency. He was ranked 1685th on the list of billionaires in the world published by Beijing-based Hurun Global in 2017.
In 2018, Rahman participated in the National Election from Dhaka-1 constituency (Dohar and Nawabganj upazilas) and was elected as a Member of Parliament. From January 2019, he is holding the rank of a cabinet minister and serving as the Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser to Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He is the current Vice Chairman of Beximco Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Bangladesh. He was the president of several trade bodies including Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO). His visionary steps over the years have significantly contributed in shaping up the country’s business and economic growth.
Rahman joined into family business in mid 1960s. In 1972, he along with his brother Ahmed Sohail Fasihur Rahman founded Bangladesh Export and Import Company Limited (Beximco) and started exporting seafood and crushed bones to Europe and importing medicines in exchange.
As Beximco has grown over the years, it is now one of the largest private sector industrial conglomerates in Bangladesh with Rahman as its Vice Chairman. This conglomerate has operations and investments across a wide range of industries including textiles, pharmaceuticals, trading, marine food, real estate development, construction, information and communication technologies, media, ceramics, financial services and energy. Beximco Pharma was listed as the first Bangladeshi company in the Alternative Investment Market of London Stock Exchange.
Beximco is also the largest employer in the private sector in Bangladesh and employs over 70,000 people worldwide. With clear vision and determination, Rahman not only ensured growth and expansion of Beximco Group but also changed the dynamics of Bangladesh’s business sector. His contributions in developing the private sector in the early stage of the country just after independence were of vital importance.
Rahman is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, a leading think tank engaged in advocacy for promoting the interests of the private sector of the country. He is the Chairman of the Board of Editors of the Independent, one of the leading daily English language newspapers published from Dhaka. He was also the Chairman of Independent Television, a 24-hour news channel. He is the Chairman of Abahani Ltd., country’s premier sporting club.
Once, he served as the President of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries. He was the President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, which is the apex trade organization of the SAARC region. He was also the Presidents of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Dhaka (MCCI), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) as well as Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies.
In mid 1990s Rahman started his political career and founded a political party named Samriddhya Bangladesh Andolan. Later he joined Bangladesh Awami League. In 2018, he participated in the National Election from Dhaka-1 constituency (Dohar and Nawabganj upazilas) and was elected as a Member of Parliament.
In addition, under his management, Beximco Group distributed personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines, and test kits worth USD$1.8 million (15 crore BDT) to testing centers and government designated hospitals. Beximco Group also provided financial support in creation of modern laboratory facilities and enhance hospital facilities those are providing medical treatment to Coronavirus effected people.
Rahman is a patron of Proyash, a specialized institute that works for the holistic development of children with special educational needs through different programs which include early childhood development programs (ECD).
Beximco was the official sponsor of Bangladesh National Cricket team for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. He also organized and sponsored the FIFA friendly match in Dhaka between Argentina and Nigeria in September 2011.
Rahman was born in Dohar Upazila of Dhaka District to Fazlur Rahman and Syeda Fatina Rahman. He is married to Syeda Rubaba Rahman and has a son named Ahmed Shayan Fazlur Rahman. He graduated from the University of Karachi.
In a glance
Name: Salman F Rahman
Affiliation: Bangladesh Awami League
Current Position: Private Sector Industry & Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister and Incumbent Member of Parliament
Date of Birth: May 23, 1951
Place of Birth: Bangladesh
Home District: Dhaka
Constituency: 174, Dhaka-1
Term: First (11th-2018)
Nationality: Bangladeshi
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