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Bashundhara chairman, family accorded ‘Kar Bahadur’ award

Bashundhara Chairman resigns as Ukrainian Consul

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan along with his family members has been accorded “Kar Bahadur” (tax icons ) title for paying large amounts of tax with exemplary compliance for a long time.

Bashundhara Group Family was placed in one of the top places on the list of 16 “tax icon” families from Dhaka.

For the first time in the country’s history, the government on Wednesday honoured 84 families, including that of Bashundhara Group, from across the country with the title.

The title was given at a ceremony at the NBR building in the capital’s Agargaon.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith and State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan, among others, were present during the ceremony.

Bashundhara Group Incom Tax Adviser Ashraf Hossain Khan received the honour on behalf East West Media Group, the Media wing of Bashundhara Group.

He told the Daily Kalerkantho: “Bashundhara Group is working for the betterment of the country and the people for a long time and the family members are paying their tax regularly.”

The EWMG got the award for being one of the top taxpayers in the print and electronic media category.

A total of 141 national-level taxpayers, including 76 individuals, were also recognised for depositing large amounts of tax in their respective sectors in fiscal 2016-17.

Meanwhile, 292 taxpayers were honoured at the district and city corporation levels by the National Board of Revenue.

The government accorded the awards to encourage high-income families to pay tax regularly and properly.

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Come out of default culture: Chairman of Bashundhara Group

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has urged all concerned to come out of the loan default culture that the banking sector of Bangladesh is facing.

He made the call at a ceremony marking the signing of a syndicated term loan at the auditorium of the Agrani Bank head office in the capital on Tuesday.

“Bangladesh might have developed a lot had there been no default culture. It will proceed far whenever such a culture will come to an end,” he said.

An iconic industrialist of the country, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said Bashundhara Group neither defaulted on any loan nor did it seek any interest waiver in the last 30 years.

The group has repaid all the loans successfully, he added.

The Bashundhara chairman said it is the right time for Bangladesh to take its economy to a new height with the fastest economic development.

Referring to government’s plan for setting up of 100 economic zones, including two under the ownership of Bashundhara Group, he said if the government itself establishes 50 percent of the economic zones, Bangladesh will progress ‘at rocket speed’.

State-owned Agrani Bank Limited and three private banks sanctioned a syndicated term loan of Tk 889 million for Bashundhara Food and Beverage Industries Ltd, a concern of country’s one of the largest business conglomerate Bashundhara Group.

Agrani is the lead arranger of the loan.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and Agrani Bank Chairman Zaid Bakht signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

The three other banks are Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited, Dhaka Bank Limited and Pubali Bank Limited.

Agrani Bank Managing Director and CEO Mohammed Shams-Ul Islam, Dhaka Bank acting Managing Director Imranul Haque, Bangladesh Commerce Bank Deputy Managing Director Kazi Rezaul Karim and Pubali Bank Deputy General Manager Sultana Sharifun Nahar were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said Bashundhara Group has been working with Agrani Bank since 1992.

The bank offered loans to many projects of Bashundhara Group.

Highlighting the contribution of Agrani Bank to land development business of Bashundhara Group, he said the financial institution provided a loan of around Tk 107 crore for Bashundhara Riverview housing project.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said Bashundhara Paper Mills alone accounts for 50 percent of local paper production.

He said Bangladesh has turned a paper-export country from importing country.

Agrani Bank Chairman Zaid Bakht said the government is implementing several mega projects, which help increase investment flows by private sector investors.

“Today we’re signing a syndicated term loan amid festivity. It is simple but reflects the dynamism of the country’s development by the incumbent government,” he added.

Shams-Ul Islam said Agrani Bank has been providing loans for industrial purposes and the syndicated term loan for Bashundhara Food Beverage is also one of them.

“What Bashundhara Group thinks today, others will think it tomorrow,” he said.

Bashundhara Group Senior Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Belayet Hossain, Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon, Bashundhara Group Media Adviser Mohammad Abu Tayeb and top officials of Agrani Bank, among others, were present on the occasion.

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Rangpur Riders partners EWMGL for media coverage

East West Media Group Limited (EWMGL), country’s largest media outlet of Bashundhara Group, has become the media partner of the popular cricket sensation Rangpur Riders for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2017.

In this regard, an agreement has been signed between two parties on Thursday noon at the EWMGL conference room in its premises.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Vice Chairman Safwan Sobhan, Vice Chairman Shafiat Sobhan and Managing Director Sayem Sobhan attended the signing ceremony.

Bashundhara Group Treasurer Moynal Hossain Chowdhury, also the publisher of the Kaler Kantho, Bangladesh Pratidin and daily sun signed the agreement for EWMGL while Ishtiaq Sadeq, CEO of Rangpur Riders signed for its side.

Among others the daily sun editor Enamaul Hoque Chowdhury, executive editor Shiabur Rahman, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naem Nizam, Kaler Kantho editor Imdadul Haq Milon, Banglanews24 News in-Chief Alamgir Hossain, Rangpur Riders managing Director Md. Jabed Iqbal and senior officials of Bashundhara Group attended the function.

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Bashundhara Group chairman visits Walton corporate office

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan visited Walton Group corporate office in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area on Thursday.

Bashundhara Group Vice Chairmen Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir and Safwan Sobhan Tasvir and Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir accompanied him during the visit.

Walton Group Vice Chairman SM Nurul Alam Rizvi and Managing Director Shamsul Alam greeted them on their arrival at the group’s corporate office.

Walton Hi-Tech Industries Ltd Managing Director SM Ashraful Alam, Walton Group Directors SM Mahbubul Alam, SM Rezaul Alam, SM Manzurul Alam, Tahmina Afroz and Raisa Sigma Hima were also present.

Walton Group has constructed the magnificent corporate office, having a space of 2 lakh square feet, with steel structures. It has a plan to construct a multi-storied corporate office building in the area in future.

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Bashundhara noodles, pasta hit market

Bashundhara noodles, pasta hit market

Bashundhara Food and Beverage Limited, a concern of the country’s leading industrial conglomerate Bashundhara Group, has launched noodles and pasta under its new snacks line.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan announced the official launch of the snacks items at a gala ceremony at International Convention City, Bashundhara in the capital on Thursday night.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said Bashundhara has entered the food and beverage industry to combat food adulteration and ‘food politics’.

Expressing his sympathy to the flood-affected people, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said: “Almost all businesses are making profit creating syndicates when the people are suffering for floods. Bashundhara does business for the people.
That’s why they [Bashundhara] never support such kind of profit-making.”

He further said BFBL will produce nutritious and international-standard foods and market them at affordable prices.

Mentioning the success stories of the business group, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said Bashundhara established Bangladesh’s first paper mill in private sector.

According to him, Bashundhara paper caters to over 50 percent of the local demand while Bashundhara LP gas enjoys the highest market share by selling low-cost gas targeting middle bracket of people.

The BG chairman expressed the hope that Bangladesh will stand as a developed nation by 2030 when around 100 economic zones will be in operation across the country.

BG Vice Chairman Safiat Sobhan Sanvir was the special guest on the occasion.

Daily Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon and BFBL Chief Marketing Officer Rashidul Ahsan also spoke at the launching ceremony.

Imdadul Haq Milon said: “Bashundhara Group always stands besides people. We have seen that the Group chairman is always sympathised with the people who suffer.”

He said the BG chairman could not have his meals seeing sufferings of the flood-hit people on television screen.

Kaler Kantho editor said the BG chairman advised the people in the media outlets of Bashundhara Group to stand besides the flood-affected people on behalf of the industrial conglomerate.

BFBL Chief Marketing Officer Rashidul Ahsan highlighted the production technology and capacity of food production of the factory at Keraniganj.
A group of children displayed new products of BFBL at the event.

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Ahmed Akbar Sobhan cut a cake at a function arranged in celebration of the first anniversary of News24

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu and Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan cut a cake at a function arranged in celebration of the first anniversary of satellite television channel News24 at its office in Bashundhara residential area in the capital on Friday. ATN Bangla and ATN News Chairman Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, Additional IG (SB) Javed Patwary and News24 CEO Naem Nizam, among others, were present.-Sun photo

News24, a satellite television channel of East West Media Group Limited (EWMGL), a concern of Bashundhara Group, celebrated its first anniversary with new pledges to take the country forward with the spirit of the country’s Liberation War.
The channel authorities began a three-day celebration programme at zero hour on Friday on the EWMGL premises in Bashundhara Residential Area of the capital.
Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir, his son Walid Sobhan and News24 Chief Executive Officer Naem Nizam along with guests inaugurated the celebration programme by cutting a giant cake. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed, Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, former President HM Ershad, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Mirza Azam and BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu were present at different sessions of the programme.
Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon, Daily Sun Acting Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, Kaler Kantha Executive Editor Mostafa Kamal and Daily Sun Executive Editor Shiabur Rahman were also present.
Besides, former Minister GM Quader, former BCL President AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, Rupayan Group Chairman’s Adviser Major-General  Abdus Salam (retd), Bangladesh Jatiya Party President Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanok, lawmaker Rabiul Alam Muktadir, DMP Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mian, RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed and Ekattor TV Director Syed Ishtiaq Reza attended the event.
Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Ashraful Alam Khokon greeted the News24 management with bouquets on behalf of the premier.
Addressing the function, Obaidul Quader urged journalists to report news from neutral views about different political issues to flourish democracy in the country.
In his address, Tofael Ahmed hoped that the media will highlight the achievements earned by Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasanul Huq Inu said News24 has proved their capability to bring new dimension in news progarmmes.
Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said, “We want to produce positive news of Bangladesh.

As you know, all the media outlets from Bashundhara are producing positive news from their uniform policy for expressing truth.”
Naem Nizam, also editor of Bangladesh Pratidin, delivered an introductory speech, describing how News24 has come into focus within a short period.
“We initiated our journey with the theme of ‘Not neutral, stand for people’. We speak for the people. We stand for Bangladesh. News24 is airing positive news of Bangladesh across the world,” he said.
HM Ershad said electronic media beings transparency in society by broadcasting news from the grassroots level.
Mirza Azam said News24 is speaking for the people and the tradition of the country.
Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu said the channel will uphold the country’s image across the globe.
Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury said all the media outlets from Bashundhara Group have been leading in their respective arenas. News24 has brought success in broadcasting news from grassroots level.
Editors and high officials of the Daily Sun, Kaler Kantha, Bangladesh Pratidin, Banglanews24.com and Radio Capital of the East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL), a concern of Bashundhara Group, wished News24 with bouquets.
A delegation of journalist unions came to News24 station to express wishes. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Secretary General Omar Faruque, Dhaka Union of Journalist President Shaban Mahmood, and Secretary General Sohel Haider Chowdhury were the delegates.
News24 has honoured ATN Bangla Managing Director Mahfuzur Rahman and Channel i Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagor for their contributions to the advancement of satellite television sector in Bangladesh.
“We have focused on the mass participation in the media in Bangladesh for the last one year. In three-day programme, we will cover the highlighted news reporting across the country on sideline of talk shows,” News 24 chief News Editor Shahnaz Munni.
It has already earned fame for talk-shows. Leading politicians and  renowned persons take part in talk-shows. The channel has already gained huge popularity for its special and investigative reports.

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Bashundhara Industrial Economic Zone Ltd signs MoU with Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority


Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has said Bangladesh is marching forward at rocket speed taking the development highway that the government has created, and Bashundhara Group wants to be the partner of the uplift journey.

He made the remarks at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) and Bashundhara Industrial Economic Zone Ltd (BIEZL) at Radisson Blu hotel in the capital on Monday.

Under the deal, BEZA will lease out 500 acres of land to BIEZL, a concern of the country’s leading business conglomerate Bashundhara Group for Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chittagong.

BEZA Executive Member Mohammad Harunur Rashid and Bashundhara Group Vice Chairman Safwan Sobhan signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister’s Office Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad attended the MoU signing ceremony as the chief guest and Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan as the special guest while BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury presided over it.

Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir, BDG-Magura Group Chairman Mustafa Kamal Mohiuddin, BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan and BEZA Executive Member M Emdadul Haque were also present on the occasion.

In his speech, the Bashundhara Group chairman said Mirsarai is going to be the biggest economic zone of the country and Bashundhara Group has got 500 acres of land allocated for it.

Highlighting Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s contribution to Bangladesh’s independence and its economic development, he said the Father of the Nation dreamt of an economically stable country, which faced a major setback after his killing.

“Bangladesh turned back to his dream under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been taking bold steps one after another to attain her vision to turn Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and developed nation by 2041,” said Ahmed Akbar Sobhan.

He said Bangladesh is going ahead at a great pace but still has problems like inadequate infrastructures and traffic congestion.

He expressed his hope that the government and its agencies will address the issues.

The Bashundhara Group chairman suggested bringing back the money that has been sent to foreign countries ‘in right or wrong way’ through imposing minimum penalty or fess.

“There are huge scopes of investment in Bangladesh. If that money gets white, Bangladeshi people can change the face of country.

Foreign direct investment will not be needed that much,” he said.Ahmed Akbar Sobhan advised BEZA to include establishment of a sports complex in every divisional and district city to attract the new generation to sports and save them from the drugs.

Principal SDG Coordinator Abul Kalam Azad said Bashundhara Group has proved its worth in all sectors as a leading investor of the country and the MoU with BEZA will lead it towards further success.

He also said: “Scope of investment in EZ is a great opportunity and we urge leading entrepreneurs of the country to come forward and BEZA and BIDA is ready to provide all-out support in this regard.”

BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury said the private sector is the main pillar of country’s economic force and it is the duty of the government to extend policy and other supports to nourish investment.

He said the country still lacks an investment culture and the government is trying to develop it.

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Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan speaks as the chief guest at a programme organised to celebrate the success of ‘Bashundhara Tissue Trade Scheme’

Production of Bashun-dhara tissue, country’s premier tissue brand, will increase by four times within the next five years.
Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan announced the production plan at gala event organised at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the city on Sunday to celebrate the success of ‘Bashundhara Tissue Trade Scheme-2016’.
He said Bashundhara tissue started its journey in 2000 with 1-tonne daily production and now it is producing 200 tonnes every day.
“With all of your devotion, sincerity and hard work, we will produce 1000 tonnes tissue daily within the next five years”, he said.
The Chairman said Bashundhara Group has succeeded to become one of the leading business conglomerates of the country with the sincerity and love of its workers and employees.
Bashundhara Group Vice-Chairman Safwan Sobhan, Deputy Managing Director Md Mustafizur Rahman and Bashundhara Paper Mills Ltd Deputy General Manager Golam Sarwar Nowshad were also present on the occasion.
Extending his heartiest love to all the workers, employees and officials, Bashundhara Group Chairman said all the people involved with Bashundhara Group are considered members of Bashundhara family.
“They are part of joy and sorrow of this family,” he said.
Bashundhara Paper Mills celebrated the success of ‘Bashundhara Tissue Trade Scheme-2016’ with the presence of over 3,000 distributors and retailers from across the country.
The event ended through a cultural programme and a raffle draw.
Bashundhara Group DMD Mustafizur Rahman said the group is going to launch several new products soon.
It will launch pant diaper, mosquito coil and some stationery products, he added.

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53rd branch of The Farmers Bank Limited

Chairman of Bashundhara Group Ahmed Akbar Sobhan inaugurates the 53rd branch of The Farmers Bank Limited by cutting a ribbon at Bashundhara Residential Area in the city on Tuesday. Chairman of the bank Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir was also present on the occasion.

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Ukrainian delegation with the Chairman of Bashundhara Group

Ahmedd-Akbar-Sobhan

A Ukrainian delegation led by former foreign minister of the East European country Borys Tarasyuk, MP called on Chairman of Bashundhara Group Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, who is the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Dhaka, at the latter’s residence at Bashundhara Residential Area on Saturday.

Oleksiy Poroshenko, MP, who is the son of the President of Ukraine, Ambassador of Ukraine Dr Igor Polikha and Trade and Economic Chief of Ukrainian Embassy Ivan Konovolve were also present.