Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine

Business Featured

Business Featured

DHL–The Daily Star honour five entrepreneurs, businesses

    Global logistics service provider DHL Express Bangladesh and Bangladesh’s largest-circulated English newspaper, The Daily Star, honoured five outstanding entrepreneurs and enterprises with the Bangladesh Business Awards on 23 September. The awards were given in five categories: Business Person of the Year, Best Financial Institution of the Year, Best Enterprise of the Year, Outstanding Woman in Business, and Lifetime Achievement Award.     Business icon M Anis Ud Dowla, chairman of ACI Ltd, was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the Bangladesh economy. His story, like many others celebrated at the event, is a testament to the power of unwavering dedication. Dowla transformed an SME into ACI, one of Bangladesh’s largest conglomerates, employing more than 15,000 people. After a 27-year career in multinationals, he pioneered the local industry and continues to promote ethics, continuous learning, and youth entrepreneurship, seeing Bangladesh’s large population and rising middle class as the foundation of future growth.     Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of Pran-RFL Group, was named Business Person of the Year for 2024. Under his leadership, a modest family-run agro venture grew into one of Bangladesh’s most diversified conglomerates, spanning more than 6,000 product lines and employing 167,000 people, with annual revenues exceeding $3 billion—a transformation that mirrors the country’s own economic rise.     The Enterprise of the Year award went to Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, which has reshaped Bangladesh’s electronics market, moving from import dependence to global competitiveness. Founded in the early 2000s, Walton now produces refrigerators, televisions, and smartphones, employs thousands, exports to more than 50 countries, and symbolises the nation’s industrial diversification.     City Bank was named Best Financial Institution of the Year 2024. Once considered troubled, City has emerged as one of the country’s leading lenders. Established in 1983, it now records strong asset growth, operates a vast agent banking network, runs gender-focused initiatives, and posts profits of over Tk 1,000 crore—underscoring its financial resilience and governance reforms.     Sadia Haque received the Outstanding Woman in Business award for 2024. After leaving a thriving corporate career, Sadia co-founded ShareTrip, Bangladesh’s leading travel-tech startup. She turned her passion into innovation, pioneering digital booking, loyalty programmes, and fintech services. As a female founder, she champions entrepreneurship and breaks barriers in a male-dominated industry while redefining how Bangladesh travels. Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed presented the awards to the winners at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka, where Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin was also present. Congratulating the winners, Adviser Salehuddin said Bangladesh’s businesses had shown “remarkable dynamism” in expanding their reach beyond national borders. He recalled being “pleasantly surprised” to find Pran Chanachur on shop shelves as far as Fiji. “This is how Bangladesh goes far away,” he said. Ahmed called on the country’s private sector to prepare for a more competitive global environment after graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) bracket. “You have to be competitive, you’ll have to look at the global situation and of course the local. We definitely try to facilitate all kinds of support through policy reforms, through process simplifications and through other support instruments,” he said. “Bangladesh is on a transformation journey, and its private sector continues to be the engine of growth.” At the event, Md Miarul Haque, managing director of DHL Express Bangladesh, said Bangladesh’s private sector must evolve with agility, innovation, and collaboration to remain competitive in a fast-changing global economy. “At DHL, we are proud to celebrate the leadership that drives this progress. Tonight’s awardees are not only shaping industries but also contributing to the nation’s economic advancement and global competitiveness.” Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, also lauded the past winners of the Bangladesh Business Awards. “These individuals represent the best of Bangladesh’s private sector—those who have built with integrity, broken barriers, and moved the nation forward.” Anam underscored that Bangladesh is nearing its graduation from LDC status, yet concerns remain about readiness. He argued that part of the answer lies in the state’s inconsistent support for the private sector. “We must distinguish between honest and dishonest businessmen,” he said. Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Anis Ud Dowla said, “I am honoured and humbled by this recognition. It is truly an inspiration to strive for even greater excellence.” “This is the third time I feel honoured at this platform. In 2011 and 2017, I had the privilege of receiving awards on behalf of ACI and myself. But this Lifetime Achievement Award is profoundly moving,” he said. He ended his speech with a powerful quote: “Be punctual. Time is valuable. Not just yours, but everyone’s.” Pran-RFL Chairman and CEO Chowdhury said, “I must say, I didn’t have to do much in the beginning. It was the people behind Pran-RFL who made it happen. It’s our customers who have carried us forward.” ShareTrip CEO Haque said, “Tourism is not often seen as a key contributor to the GDP or economic growth. I hope this recognition, both for myself and for ShareTrip, marks a turning point for the industry.” Walton MD Alam called the award timely ahead of LDC graduation. He urged continued backing for local industries, saying, “Just as others say ‘Make in India’ or ‘America First’, we say: ‘Bangladesh on Top’.” City Bank CEO Arefin reflected on the bank’s transformation journey. “This was a long-anticipated recognition,” he said. “City Bank’s transformation began in 2007, from what was then considered a problem bank, with two central bank observers on its board, to now being one of the country’s leading financial institutions.” The event was attended by Sarah Cooke, British high commissioner to Bangladesh; Tapan Chowdhury, managing director of Square Pharmaceuticals; Simeen Rahman, group CEO of Transcom Group; AK Azad, chairman and CEO of Ha-Meem Group; Abdul Muktadir, chairman and managing director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals; Zaved Akhtar, president of The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh; and Syed Mohammad Kamal, country manager of Mastercard. Shaheen Anam, executive director

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Business Featured

Learning, Unlearning, and the Architecture of Change

  In a world where design often races ahead of reflection, CubeInside Design Ltd. is inviting architects, students, and thinkers to pause—and reconsider. Their upcoming three-day event, Learning & Unlearning, promises not just a series of lectures but a journey into the core of architectural consciousness. Set to unfold from September 25 to 27, the event will be hosted at CubeInside Design Ltd. in Dhaka. It’s not a typical seminar. It’s an exploration—into the craft, the culture, and the contradictions of architecture today. CubeInside, known for its thoughtful design practice, has curated this event with a clear intention: to challenge assumptions, provoke dialogue, and open up new ways of seeing.     The title itself—Learning & Unlearning—signals a dual movement. It’s about acquiring knowledge, yes, but also about shedding the habits and biases that no longer serve. The programme is structured around lectures, discussions, and exhibitions, each designed to engage participants in critical reflection. Over three days, attendees will encounter ideas that stretch beyond blueprints and facades. They’ll be asked to consider architecture not just as a profession but as a cultural act—one that shapes and is shaped by society. The event is open to students, professionals, and enthusiasts alike. It’s a rare opportunity to engage with architectural discourse in a setting that encourages both curiosity and critique. CubeInside’s invitation is clear: come with questions, leave with more. CubeInside’s announcement, shared via its official Facebook page, carries a tone of quiet urgency. “CubeInside invites you to Learning & Unlearning,” it reads. The event’s visual identity, as seen in the post, is minimal yet evocative. It reflects CubeInside’s design ethos: clarity, restraint, and meaning. There’s no excess—just an invitation to think. What makes Learning & Unlearning stand out is its refusal to be didactic. It doesn’t claim to have answers. Instead, it offers a space where answers can be questioned. In a field often dominated by trends and technicalities, this is a refreshing shift.   CubeInside’s initiative is timely. As Bangladesh grapples with rapid urbanisation, climate challenges, and shifting cultural landscapes, architecture must evolve. Events like this help ensure that evolution is thoughtful, inclusive, and grounded. For those attending, the three days will likely be more than an academic exercise. They’ll be a chance to connect—with ideas, with peers, and with the deeper purpose of design. And for CubeInside, it’s another step in its ongoing commitment to architecture that matters. In the end, Learning & Unlearning is not just about buildings. It’s about building understanding. And in that, CubeInside is offering something rare: a space to think, together.         Written by Nibir Ayaan  

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Business Featured

South Asia Trade Fair 2025 Kicks Off in Dhaka Today

The South Asia Trade Fair 2025 opens its doors in Dhaka today, drawing together businesses from across the region for a four-day showcase of trade and commerce.     This year’s edition will feature an extensive display of products from South Asian countries, covering categories as diverse as readymade garments, textiles, gems and jewellery, cosmetics, footwear and leather items, home and kitchen appliances, processed food, and electronics. Organisers said the wide range is meant to highlight both the industrial strengths and the cultural traditions of the region.   Over a hundred companies are expected to take part, representing a strong presence of entrepreneurs and firms from multiple SAARC member nations. Their participation is aimed at deepening economic ties and opening new trade opportunities among neighbouring countries. The fair is being hosted under the initiative of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the Ministry of Commerce, and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) are providing support to make the event successful. An inaugural ceremony marked the start of the fair and Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin formally opened the exhibition at the International Convention City, Bashundhara.   The event is being positioned as one of the year’s most important trade gatherings in the capital. Details of the programme were shared earlier this week at a press conference organised at the FBCCI headquarters in Dhaka’s Motijheel. Speaking at the briefing, Zulfiqar Ali Bhatt, secretary general of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explained the scope of the upcoming fair and outlined its objectives. According to Bhatt, the event will include business-to-business matchmaking sessions and dedicated networking opportunities designed to foster trust between entrepreneurs of SAARC nations.   He added that the platform would also enable the exchange of ideas and experiences in business practices, paving the way for a stronger foundation of regional cooperation. “This will play a vital role in promoting regional trade,” Bhatt remarked, underlining the importance of strengthening intra-regional links. He noted, however, that despite significant potential, South Asian economies have not yet managed to expand their trade with each other to the levels seen in other parts of the world. The fair, he stressed, can serve as a step toward correcting this imbalance. The exhibition will bring together companies from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, among others. With more than a hundred firms participating, organisers are confident the event will serve as an effective platform for businesses looking to establish or expand their footprint in South Asia’s growing markets.   Md. Alamgir, secretary general of FBCCI, also spoke at the press conference, focusing on the broader vision of the Saarc Chamber. He emphasised that the institution was created to boost the region’s trade capacity and to promote collaboration across a variety of sectors. Through the fair, Alamgir said, regional potential in industries such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, processed food and agriculture, and electronics will come to the forefront.   At the same time, the exhibition will not only highlight economic strengths but also showcase the rich traditions and cultural identities of the SAARC member countries, creating a more holistic view of South Asia’s shared possibilities. The stakeholders hope the four-day event will set the stage for stronger commercial ties, a more connected region, and a renewed commitment to expanding trade among neighbouring economies.   Written by Nibir Ayaan

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A Showcase That Brings Dreams to Living Rooms

At big housing expos, the noise is usually deafening — developers pitching, buyers bargaining, stalls glittering with scale models of shiny towers. This year, the spectacle has gone quiet. The DBL Ceramics Online Housing Fair, hosted by Prothom Alo Digital, opened on August 25 with only a small ceremony at Hotel Sonargaon, while most of the action unfolds on computer screens and phones.     Over the next ten days, until September 3, prospective buyers can browse more than 256 projects from 38 housing companies on abashonmela.pro. The listings include 283,000 kathas of land, 5,230 flats, and 412,000 square feet of commercial space — all available to explore without leaving home. The fair’s slogan captures the idea simply: “The Opportunity Has Come Again. Find Your Dream Home from Home.”   A Digital Market for a Stubborn Dream   Bangladesh’s appetite for land and housing has never been small. In a country where urbanization runs ahead of infrastructure, the dream of owning a flat in Dhaka remains one of the most powerful middle-class aspirations. Families save for years, often with support from relatives abroad, only to find that prices have risen faster than their savings. With national elections due in February, many are waiting for signs of stability before taking the plunge. Against this backdrop, the launch of an online housing fair offers more than just marketing. It is, for many, a way to keep the dream alive.     “Organising an online housing fair was a new idea in Bangladesh,” said Matiur Rahman, Editor and Publisher of Prothom Alo, at the inauguration ceremony in Dhaka. “Through it, we even gained international recognition.” He acknowledged the pressures the industry now faces. “The housing sector is going through a crisis, largely because of the political transition a year ago,” he said. “Every political change affects business. We hope that after the coming election, a new government will create the stability we need to move forward.”     “The world is moving forward rapidly,” said MA Quader, Deputy Managing Director and Group CEO of DBL Group. “Whether in Dhaka or abroad, you can now search for flats and plots online. That opportunity is a gift.” For many, the gift is convenience. For developers, it is survival. With traditional sales slowing, the fair offers visibility at a time when foot traffic to offices and showrooms has dwindled. Shoppers browsing from London or Singapore can now weigh Dhaka apartments with the same ease as airline tickets. A growing diaspora, sending billions in remittances each year, is becoming a crucial customer base. “Earlier, you had to call an uncle or cousin to check on a property,” said one Dhaka-based banker. “Now you can compare projects in minutes. That changes everything.” “The online housing fair has brought a new wave of enthusiasm to the sector,” said Md Wahiduzzaman, President of REHAB. “Our members   are eager to take part, and interest will only grow in the future as people can now search for their preferred flats from the comfort of home.”     Cracks in the Foundations Yet the optimism is tempered. Executives across the sector point to one persistent obstacle: the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka, which limits the height of new buildings across 80 percent of the city. “Since the new DAP notification, the housing sector has been paralysed,” the REHAB president said. “Our members face restrictions that make new projects difficult.” A recent government meeting on potential revisions has raised hopes, but until decisions are finalised, developers remain cautious. “If the revisions are confirmed next month, businesses will be able to work again,” he added. The debate over DAP is not just technical. It touches on the core dilemma of Dhaka: a city bursting with people but running out of space.   Environmentalists argue that unchecked vertical growth could worsen congestion and strain utilities. Developers counter that without high- rise flexibility, affordable housing will vanish. At the same time, bankers and financiers know the larger picture cannot be ignored. Loans are harder to secure, construction costs remain high, and global uncertainties feed into domestic anxieties. Still, the fair pushes ahead, offering a window into what is possible when policy, finance, and consumer demand align.   A Ballroom of Deals and Dreams     The launch night itself mixed hard economics with ceremony. Executives from IPDC Finance, Eastern Bank, Hatil, Angan Developments, Chhuti Resort, Haque Home and Builders, Onward Developers, and Shopnonibash Group took the stage. Their speeches circled back to the same themes: resilience, innovation, and the promise of stability.   “I am very optimistic,” said Quader of DBL Group. “After every night comes the morning and sunrise. We are waiting for that day.” The fair’s format reflects this optimism in action. Visitors logging on to abashonmela.pro can sift through offerings ranging from compact apartments to sprawling land plots. They can compare financing packages from Eastern Bank and IPDC Finance. They can weigh furniture solutions from Hatil or imagine a holiday escape at Sea Pearl Beach Resort, a co-partner of the fair. It is part commerce, part imagination: the picture of a different life assembled from a grid of images and brochures. For some, that picture might mean a first family flat in Mirpur; for others, a gated community on the city’s northern edge.     A Who’s Who of Builders The roster of participants this year reads like a directory of the sector’s leading names: Amin Mohammad Foundation, Rangs Properties, Edison Real Estate, Tropical Homes, Anwar Landmark, Asian Duplex Town, JBS   Holdings, North South Group, Credence Housing, Swapnonibash Assets, Bhaiya Group, Concord Group, Nest Developments, Doyel Development Properties, Team Developers, Eminence Technologies, Unimass Holdings, Haque Home and Builders, and Pinaki Holdings. For them, the fair is not just a sales platform but a chance to signal staying power. In a fragile market, visibility matters, and buyers often look for reassurance as much as bargains. “We want to show that we’re still here,” said one developer privately. “That continuity matters in

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Akij Tableware Announces Bangladesh’s First Food Plating Reality Show, “Art of Plating: Season 2” Offering 20,00,000 BDT in Prizes

Following the overwhelming success and audience acclaim of its first season, Akij Tableware is proud to announce the return of Bangladesh’s first-ever food plating reality show, “Akij Tableware Art of Plating,” with the launch of its second season. The show aims to discover the nation’s most talented food plating artist, with the winner taking home a grand prize of 10,00,000 BDT. In addition to the grand prize, the competition offers substantial rewards for the runners-up. The first runner-up will receive 5,00,000 BDT, while the second runner-up will be awarded 3,00,000 BDT. Furthermore, the top 30 contestants will be honored with a variety of prizes, including crests, certificates, culinary courses, and exclusive dinner sets from Akij Tableware, culminating in a total prize pool of 20,00,000 BDT. Commenting on the initiative, Chief Operating Officer of AkijBashir Group Md. Khorshed Alam shared, “After receiving an enthusiastic response in season one, we have expanded this season to encompass a broader audience, uniting plating artists from all corners of Bangladesh. Our goal is to present the unique culture and storytelling embedded in food plating art to the world and enrich this creative field.” The highly anticipated reality show will be broadcast on NTV, Channel i, and Deepto Television, with availability on popular OTT platform Chorki. Participants are required to submit photos of their best food plating through the official website. From there, experienced and renowned chefs will select the top 30 contestants based on their creativity and skills, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their talents on national television. At a press conference held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at a renowned hotel in the country, the chief judge of the show Chef Daniel C. Gomez, Head of Marketing of AkijBashir Group Md. Shahriar Zaman, and Chief Operating Officer of the company Md. Khorshed Alam, and officials of Akij Tableware were present. They shared insights into the upcoming season, underscoring its mission to celebrate food plating as an art form and provide a platform for local talent to shine on a national stage.

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Business – A Glimpse of Timeless Elegance in the British-Pub Revival named BAGHA Club

Located in the Gulshan, Dhaka, the newly renovated bar of The British Aid Guest House Association (BAGHA) Club is a renovation project designed by Zero Inch Interiors Ltd. The British-Pub-inspired interior design of the BAGHA Club’s bar is conceptualised to transform the space into a comfortable and cozy space. The guiding vision for the interior design of the bar has aimed to offer club members a sanctuary – a place where they could briefly detach from their demanding routines, relax, and recharge in a welcoming atmosphere following a day of work. The British Aid Guest House Association (BAGHA) Club was established in 1979. It is a part of the British High Commission estate and proudly serves a wonderfully diverse mix of European Union nationals. Among various amenities that the club offers, including a tennis court, children’s play area, all-day restaurants, swimming pools, and a library, the bar stands out as a focal point of social interaction and relaxation. Recently undergoing a remarkable renovation by the design team of Zero Inch Interiors Ltd., the British-Pub-inspired interior now exudes a timeless charm that seamlessly blends the traditional British pub environment with modern aesthetics. The Concept Behind the Renovation Project The interior embodies a distinctive British Pub aesthetic, interpreting traditional British elements in a contemporary style. Sharing the concept of the BAGHA club, Architect Ariful Islam says, “The idea was to renovate the bar in resemblance to British pubs, while, at the same time, doing it with minimal intervention to make the space inviting, cozy, and long-lasting.” A wall was dismantled, which, in fact, made the most visible change and expanded the space. This step in design resulted in lightening up the atmosphere of the club. After rethinking the space, the modified open-plan layout ensured that the bar counter was transformed into a rectangular shape, making it interactive and interesting. The renovation overall, therefore, achieves a delicate balance between reflecting the charm of British pubs and infusing a modern, vibrant dynamism into the space. Challenges in the Interior Design Designed by architect Muhammad Ariful Islam and his team in a remarkably brief two-month timeframe, this 2800-square-foot contemporary renovation stands as a one-of-a-kind endeavour in Bangladesh. “We’re confined to some challenges as the site was a rental space, which dictated that major demolitions were not permissible here,” added the architect. The primary challenges faced by the design team during the construction phase of the bar interior design were centred around the principles of minimal design intervention, budget constraints, and the necessity to execute the design within a notably short timeframe. Balancing all these constraints required careful consideration and strategic decision-making to ensure the success and execution of the envisioned space. Color Palette and Materiality In this interior project, wood has been selected as the primary construction material, complemented by glass and metal details. The utilisation of wooden panels, intricate carvings, and carefully curated lighting collectively contribute to creating a cozy, warm, and inviting ambiance. Furthermore, the extensive collection of bar accessories enhances the overall visual appeal, adding a layer of sophistication to the space. A new bar counter along with bar stools have been incorporated into the bar interior design, and this rendition perfectly completes the bar. The stunning stools with red-wine upholstery add a dash of colour to the interior and complement the wooden tone. Lastly, the sophisticated chandeliers add a dramatic charm to the entire British Pub ambiance. Architect Ariful Islam explains, “We preferred Challenges in the Interior Design Designed by architect Muhammad Ariful Islam and his team in a remarkably brief two-month timeframe, this 2800-square-foot contemporary renovation stands as a one-of-a-kind endeavour in Bangladesh. “We’re confined to some challenges as the site was a rental space, which dictated that major demolitions were not permissible here,” added the architect. The primary challenges faced by the design team during the construction phase of the bar interior design were centred around the principles of minimal design intervention, budget constraints, and the necessity to execute the design within a notably short timeframe. Balancing all these constraints required careful consideration and strategic decision-making to ensure the success and execution of the envisioned space. Color Palette and Materiality In this interior project, wood has been selected as the primary construction material, complemented by glass and metal details. The utilisation of wooden panels, intricate carvings, and carefully curated lighting collectively contribute to creating a cozy, warm, and inviting ambiance. Furthermore, the extensive collection of bar accessories enhances the overall visual appeal, adding a layer of sophistication to the space. A new bar counter along with bar stools have been incorporated into the bar interior design, and this rendition perfectly completes the bar. The stunning stools with red-wine upholstery add a dash of colour to the interior and complement the wooden tone. Lastly, the sophisticated chandeliers add a dramatic charm to the entire British Pub ambiance. to choose wood as the primary material because when warm light falls on wood, it creates a golden effect. The red hues further enhance the vibrancy and liveliness of the space.” The ceiling is kept simple and devoid of (intricate) details, maintaining a blackout effect. The flooring features darker tones with rustic tiles adorned with wooden patterns. This careful selection of materials and design elements contributes to the overall coherence and elegance of the bar’s interior. Zero Waste Design Philosophy One mentionable feature of this renovation is the Zero Waste Design Philosophy of the design team. In adherence to this design philosophy, they embraced creative methods to repurpose furniture in the design of this bar. Through a commitment to sustainability, repurposed and recycled furniture, along with other items, were integrated into the overall design. Each furniture piece underwent resizing and repainting to align with current functional needs. Another key aspect of the sustainability initiative involved the replacement of all damaged glass windows, which were previously allowing rainwater to infiltrate the interior. By incorporating new, weather-resistant windows, they not only addressed the structural issues but also contributed to the energy efficiency of the

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