“The economic growth of any country is largely dependent on its industrialization. Bangladesh’s rich human resources can be a power weapon for industrial development. However, the lack of infrastructure32 facilities has been the biggest hurdle for our industrial growth. The Government must put all its efforts to improve the current energy situation so that the industries can run without power cuts.” This was said by Mr. Shahedul Islam, a well known personality in the business community. Regarding the law and order situation of Bangladesh, Mr. Shahedul Islam, also the president of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries said, “Corruption and bureaucratic tangles are also some of the major impediments for any development work, including businesses. Therefore, these obstacles should be reduced at any cost; otherwise we will never be able to achieve our development targets.
Mr. Shahedul Islam completed his school education from Mirzapur (Momenshahi) Cadet College, Bangladesh and did his graduation from Ebbels School of Accountancy, Melbourne, Australia to qualify as a Chartered Secretary of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Australia.
He started his career as businessman in 1983 and within a very short span of time he did very well in business. He is a Director of Bengal Pacific (Pvt.) Ltd. (manufacturer and exporter of plastic films), Bengal Braided Rugs Ltd. (manufacturer and exporter of jute floor coverings) and Bay Asset Management Ltd. (an asset management company). Alongside his businesses, he is the President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) and is currently carrying out his responsibilities as the President of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association. He is also the former Chairman of the Bangladesh Jute Goods Association.
For his outstanding contribution in the industrial sector he was awarded CIP (Commercially Important Person) 2009 by the present government.
Mr. Shahedul Islam is the pioneer of the campaign “Amar Ponnyo Amar Desh”, a campaign organized by the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries to motivate Bangladeshis to use Bangladeshi goods and services. Mr.
and Exporters Association Director, Bengal Braided Rugs Limited
Shahedul Islam believes business houses need to motivate Bangladeshis to favour Bangladeshi products as there is a huge local market for consumer items. Under the World Free Trade Agreement, our government will not be able to protect our industries through tax measures and thus it is imperative that people of Bangladesh use locally made products as much as possible rather than depending on imports. This in turn will save our hard-earned foreign currency, create more employment in the long run and help in export growth.
Mr. Shahedul Islam is a Member of Dhaka Club Ltd. and Cadet College Club Ltd. He has travelled widely and has participated in many local and international fairs for business purposes.
About the present business activities of Bangladesh this well experienced business personality said, “for a congenial atmosphere in business, the government must take appropriate measures to resolve the current electricity crisis, traffic jam and improve the order situation.”