About Ahmed Akbar Sobhan

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan is a Bangladeshi business magnate and chairman of Safwan Bashundhara Global. One of the most prominent business figures in Bangladesh, he has a long list of professional accomplishments in various industrial and commercial sectors.

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, he 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 was highly regarded by his teachers and his peers. He was also actively involved in many extracurricular activities and was a very capable athlete.

Initial Forays Into Business

Ahmed began his professional career in 1978 with his entry into 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 what would be a hugely successful professional life.

East West Property Development

At this point in Ahmed’s life, the rising young entrepreneur had already begun laying the groundwork for what would later become a billion-dollar megacorporation.

The first major step was the establishment of East West Property Development (Pvt) Ltd., which later became the mother company of the Bashundhara Group. A key player in the burgeoning Bangladesh real estate development arena, East West was a hugely profitable venture from the very beginning.  Shortly after it was established, it became popularly known 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 set about establishing a presence in various moderate to heavy ventures, including paper production, steel work, engineering, cement, galvanized iron pipe manufacturing, LP gas, dredging, and shipping. He even made inroads into the food and beverage industry.

Altogether, the Bashundhara Group eventually owned and managed nearly three dozen business operations in various sectors.

Impact on the Bangladeshi Business Environment

Currently, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan holds the position of chairman of Safwan Bashundhara Global, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s business and corporate history, being one of the largest corporations in the country.

Even as Safwan Bashundhara Global assumes its rightful place as one of the largest business groups in Bangladesh, the country’s financial and business figures acknowledge the company’s notable contributions to the economy.

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

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

Sociocultural and Humanitarian Activities

Even with his impressive list of accomplishments, Ahmed always makes time to help other people in need. Safwan Bashundhara Global remains committed to the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), often extending its aid and assistance beyond cultural and geographical borders.

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 by making a significant difference in the lives of everyday people.