The Awardees of IBFB’s Successful Small Entrepreneurs of 2014 (standing behind) are seen with the Chief Guest Mr. AMA Muhith, MP, Hon’ble Finance Minister and other distinguished guest at the “Successful Small Entreprreneurs Award-2014” organized by IBFB on Sunday, 20 December 2015 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka.
The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB), a platform of the country’s top business leaders, intellectuals, university teachers, former government high officials, eminent journalists, working to move the economy ahead through promotion of small, medium and large-scale industries, both local and foreign, has accorded awards to 14 successful entrepreneurs of the country for the year of 2014.
For this, IBFB, through a long scrutiny with the help of district administrations, district business chambers has selected the successful entrepreneurs for awarding the “Successful Small Entrepreneurs Award 2014” at a ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, 20 December 2015.
Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, MP, Honorable Finance Minister has handed over the awards to the successful entrepreneurs. Mr. K M Habib Ullah, Chairperson of SME Foundation, Ms. Elizabeth Gourlay, Consul General of U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh and Mr. Sufi Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of PHP Group also attended the programme as Special Guests.
Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, President of IBFB, presided over the programme. Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President, Mr. Md. Omar Shafayat Kausar, Vice President, Mr. Md. Ali Deen, Director of IBFB and Convener of the Award Committee and Mr. Md. Abdus Salam, Executive Director of IBFB, among others, were also present at the event.
IBFB undertook the initiative with the belief that there are a large number of entrepreneurs across the country, who through their innovations are relentlessly working to create huge employment and thus making tremendous contribution to make the country’s economy vibrant.
Mr. AMA Muhith, MP, Hon’ble Finance Minister handed over the awards to country’s 14 Successful Small Entrepreneurs of 2014. Mr. KM Habib Ullah, Chairperson of SME Foundation (2nd from right), Ms. Elizabeth Gourlay, Consul General of U.S. Embassy (2nd from left) and Mr. Sufi Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of PHP Group (extreme right) attended the event as Special Guests. Presided over by IBFB President Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan (3rd from right), the event was also attended by IBFB Founding President Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury (3rd from left) and Vice President Mr. Md. Omar Shafayat Kausar (extreme left).
IBFB works to improve the business climate by addressing pressing issues such as high interest rates, tax evasion, transport inefficiencies and bureaucratic red tape as an advocacy and pressure group to articulate better business practices and policies to the general public and relevant government agencies. The IBFB provides supports its members to promote and safeguard their trade interest through exchange of information.
IBFB beliefs that the successful entrepreneurs, even at small levels, are making tremendous contributions to help flourish the economy and so their role is highly commendable for achieving high GDP (gross domestic product) growth.
Mr. Md. Omar Shafayat Kausar, Vice President of IBFB is handing over a crest to the Hon’ble Finance Minister Mr. AMA Muhith, MP. Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, President of IBFB (2nd from right) and Mr. KM Habib Ullah, Chairperson of SME Foundation (extreme right) are also seen.
These entrepreneurs have been able to stand as recognized businessmen in the society through their relentless efforts overcoming various obstacles.
A few snapshots of awards distribution among the Awardees of IBFB’s Successful Small Entrepreneurs Award-2014. (From the top left to right round the clockwise) Mrs. Tanuja Rahman, Mr. Md. Faizur Rahman, Mr. Md. Shahedul Islam and Mrs. Parvin Akhter are receiving the Awards and Certificates from the Hon’ble Finance Minister Mr. AMA Muhith, MP. Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, President of IBFB is also seen with the Finance Minister and awardees.
The successful entrepreneurs who were awarded under seven categories include Architect Mir Al Amin, Managing Director, Noorjahan Agro-Processing Industries Private Limited from Bagerhat for processing of agriculture products, Mr. GM Nurul Islam Rony, Proprietor of Messr Rony Agro Engineering from Satkhira for Agri Inputs and Agri Technology, Mr. Md Abdul Hakim Mandal, Proprietor of Messr Abdul Hakim Mandal, Joypurhat for Agri Inputs and Agri Technology, Mr. Md. Faizur Rahman, Chairman, South Bengal Fertilizer Mills Limited, Jessore for Agri Input and Agri Technology, Mr. Md. Rezaul Hasan, Proprietor, Messr Rezaul Hasan, Naogaon for Agri Inputs and Agri Technology, Mrs. Tanuja Rahman, Proprietor, Rong Handicrafts, Jessore for Handicrafts, Mrs. Lipi Saha, Proprietor, Sananda Boutique House, Naogaon for Handicrafts, Mrs. Parvin Akhter, Proprietor, Provati Boutique and Fashions House, Naogaon for Handicrafts, Alhaj Md. Fasiar Rahman, Proprietor, Messr Sabuj Matshya Khamar, Khulna for Fisheries and Livestock, Mr. Md. Mostafa Khan Feroz, Proprietor, Jannatnetri Ma Fatima Fish Hatchery, Jessore for Fisheries and Livestock, Mr. Belal Ahmed Imran, Proprietor, Dream Agro, Sylhet for Fisheries and Livestock, Mr. Md. Ashraful Islam, Proprietor, Messr Ripon Metal Industries, Jessore for Light Engineering Industry, Mr. Md. Shahedul Islam, Proprietor, Marine Chemical Company, Rangpur for Light Chemical Industries and Mr. Akbar Hossain Kismat, Proprietor, Bagan Bari Nursery, Sylhet for Nursery Development.
The features considered for selecting the successful entrepreneurs include local and Bangladeshi national, legal trade licenses and VAT certificates, five years income tax payment certificates, valid documents for Vat and other excise for last five years, business growth and annual turnover for the last five years, growth of employment scopes created during last five years, and company’s role in overall socio-economic development and social sorporate responsibility.
A total of 60 nominations from 23 districts were received. Through detailed scrutiny, the selection committee by holding six meetings selected the above mentioned entrepreneurs for the award.
The four-member selection committee constituted by the IBFB include Mr. Mohammad Ali Deen, Director, IBFB as Convener, and Mrs. Prity Chakraborty, Mr. Md. Atiur Rahman and Mr. Syed Mustafizur Rahman, Directors of the IBFB as members.
