About Ahmed Akbar Sobhan

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan is a Bangladeshi business magnate and the founder and chairman of the  Bashundhara Group. He is one of Bangladesh’s most prominent business figures and has a long list of professional accomplishments in various industrial and commercial sectors.

Ahmed’s name is practically synonymous with the Bashundhara Group. The billion-dollar corporation is involved in several key industries, including real estate, cement manufacturing, paper and allied products, steel products, and LP Gas. The company also owns a shopping complex and is involved in local and international trading.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan: Early Years and Education

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan was born on February 15, 1952, in Islampur in the old Dhaka City of  Bangladesh. The youngest son of Alhaj Abdus Sobhan and Umme Kulsum is part of a distinguished family with a brother and four sisters. His father, Alhaj, was an esteemed lawyer and official at the Dhaka High Court.

Ahmed graduated from the University of Dhaka with a degree in Business Studies. He has an exemplary academic record and is highly regarded by his teachers and peers. He is also actively involved in many extracurricular activities and is a capable athlete.

Initial Forays Into Business

Ahmed began his professional career in 1978, entering the service sector. Around the same time, he also began exploring domestic commercial trading opportunities. Early on, he displayed a rare talent for business and innovation, laying the groundwork for a hugely successful professional life.

East West Property Development

At this point in Ahmed’s life, the formation of the Bashundhara Group was still a few years away. Even so, the rising young entrepreneur had already begun laying the groundwork for what would later become a billion-dollar megacorporation.

The first significant step was the establishment of East West Property Development (Pvt) Ltd., which later became the mother company of the Bashundhara Group. East West was a hugely profitable venture, a key player in the burgeoning Bangladesh real estate development arena.  Shortly after its establishment, it became popular as “Bashundhara Housing” and has since achieved significant renown in the local property development market.

The Bashundhara Group is Born

The success of East West Property Development inspired Ahmed to explore other opportunities in related sectors. This led to the establishment of the Bashundhara Group.

With his characteristic hard work, dedication, and tenacity, he established a presence in various moderate to heavy ventures, including paper production, steel work, engineering, cement and galvanized iron pipe manufacturing, LP gas, dredging, and shipping. He even made inroads into the food and beverage industry.

The Bashundhara Group eventually owned and managed nearly three dozen business operations in various sectors.

Impact on the Bangladeshi Business Environment

The Bashundhara Group isn’t merely the success story of its founder. Its development is also a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s business and corporate history, and it is one of the largest corporations in the country.

Apart from contributing to the economy, the Bashundhara Group has played an instrumental role in reducing the country’s dependence on imported goods and services. This is a significant achievement in a country with many financial challenges.

Even as the Bashundhara Group assumes its rightful place as one of Bangladesh’s most prominent business groups, the country’s financial and business figures acknowledge the company’s noteworthy contributions to the economy.

The Man Behind the Bashundhara Group’s Success

Of course, the Bashundhara Group’s spectacular rise to the top wouldn’t have been possible without Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, its founder and chairman, ‘s outstanding leadership and vision. While many other Bangladeshi business figures have launched their profitable enterprises, few have come close to achieving Ahmed’s broad-reaching achievements.

The key to Ahmed’s success is implementing a well-designed corporate management structure with meticulously defined responsibilities. He also has a gift for the strategic delegation of authority, which allows for effective and efficient project implementation while keeping track of accountability.

Today, the Bashundhara Group employs over 50,000 personnel and contributes to the livelihood of over half a million individuals. The company is also one of the biggest taxpayers in Bangladesh.

Sociocultural and Humanitarian Activities

Even with his impressive list of accomplishments, Ahmed always makes time to help others. The Bashundhara Group remains committed to Corporate Social  Responsibility (CSR) principles, often going beyond cultural and geographical borders to extend aid and assistance.

The organization has established two welfare foundations, providing essential assistance and opportunities to underprivileged individuals and groups in Bangladesh. These foundations personify the Bashundhara Group’s mission: “For the people, for the country.”

On a personal level, Ahmed is actively involved with several socio-civic and humanitarian initiatives. For the Bangladeshi business mogul, these activities are his way of giving back to the community and making a significant difference in the lives of everyday people.