Photo : Messenger
AK Azad, a highly skilled and self-motivated industrialist, hails from a distinguished Muslim family in Jhiltuli, Faridpur. Born on December 31, 1959, he is the Founder and Managing Director of Ha-Meem Group, a prominent Bangladesh-based conglomerate. AK Azad is a key figure in the country's Readymade Garments (RMG) sector and has played a pivotal role in establishing Ha-Meem Group as the leading exporter in the industry.
In 2022 Ha-Meem Group’s annual turnover was $955 million, of which $860 million consisted of exports of RMG and textile products. He started his business in 1984 in the RMG sector and since then, Ha-Meem Group has become one of the leading and ever-expanding corporate houses of the country. AK Azad is one of the pioneers in the development of the RMG Industry in Bangladesh and has been playing a leading role in the furtherance of export-related industries of Bangladesh.
Ha-Meem Group of Companies comprises of spinning, textiles, denim, readymade garments, garments accessories, washing plants, cotton recycling plant, tea plantations, printing press and a leading vernacular newspaper “The Daily Samakal” and a TV channel, Channel 24. Altogether, the group has 30 companies, including the largest washing plants in the RMG sector. The group now employs more than 75,000 persons in its different units, most of whom are women.
Also he is a businessperson who has been at the head of 24 different companies and occupies the position of Chief Executive Officer for Takaful Islami Insurance Ltd, Managing Director at Refat Garments Ltd, Managing Director at Ha-Meem Fashions Ltd., Managing Director at Ha-Meem Apparels Ltd, Managing Director at New Modern Garments Industry Ltd, Managing Director at That's It Fashions Ltd., Managing Director at Asha Fashions Ltd, Managing Director at Sajid Apparels Ltd, Managing Director at Refat Sports Wear Ltd, Managing Director at Ha-Meem Washing Ltd., Managing Director at That's Knit Ltd., Managing Director at Sajid Washing & Dying Ltd, Managing Director at That's It Garments Ltd, Managing Director at Nishat Jute Mills Ltd., Managing Director at Ha-Meem Design Ltd., Managing Director at That's It Sports Wear Ltd., Managing Director at Ha-Meem Denim Ltd., Managing Director at That's It Packaging Ltd, Managing Director at Modern Washing & Dyeing Industries Ltd., Managing Director at Sajib Poly Industries Ltd, Managing Director at Enzyme Bangladesh Ltd, President for Dhaka University Alumni Association and Director & Vice President at Shahjalal Islami Bank Plc.
As the highest exporter of RMG products and for his role in the development of the industry, the Government has declared him as a Commercially Important Person (CIP) continuously since 1997. His companies have been awarded time and again by the government with the National Export Trophy as the highest exporter in the RMG Woven category. So far, Ha-Meem Group has received 11 gold, 2 Silver, and 5 Bronze National Export Trophies. For being the highest exporter among all categories Ha-Meem Group was awarded with the Bangabandhu Export Trophy for the year 2018-2019.
AK Azad is involved with numerous social and professional organisations. At present he is the Vice President of the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh, President of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), and Chairman of the Arbitration Board of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI). He is very much involved with government fiscal and trade policy bodies and being frequently consulted by different ministries and divisions on these issues. He is actively involved in the government’s National Budget Consultative processes.
AK Azad is the former President of the FBCCI, the apex body of the trade & commerce of the country and former President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI). He was President of the Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA), a very prestigious organisation of the country, for two consecutive terms. He was Chairman of Shahjalal Islami Bank and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank. He also has membership in a good number of prestigious social and philanthropic organisations.
He is a member of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association and Ihsan Foundation and on the board of 12 other companies.
Messenger/Fameema
