Salman F Rahman brought dynamic changes to Bangladesh’s economy

From humble beginnings to a global conglomerate – Salman F Rahman brought dynamic changes to Bangladesh’s economy, growth and global perception.

Bangladesh’s growth is nothing short of a marvel.The government started privatizing some of its manufacturing hubs in the 80s. In 1981, the GDP growth rate shot up to 5.6%, demonstrating a newly formed country’s true potential. Henceforth, trust was put on private players, which is where Salman F Rahman, an innovative entrepreneur was spotlighted. Salman F Rahman had founded the Beximco Group with his brother ASF Rahman in 1972. The company initially exported and imported jute, until he and his brother realized the opportunities before them if they diversify Beximco Group’s business. Salman F Rahman noticed that Bangladesh did not have a strong healthcare and medicine infrastructure. This is where the Rahman brothers diversified their business first. Beximco Pharmaceuticals was born in 1980 as a result, and is presently an international pharmaceutical juggernaut. In 2017, Beximco Pharma’s annual revenue was recorded to be BDT$15.5 billion.

The leadership of the brothers took Beximco Group to new heights. The success in pharmaceuticals motivated them to expand their operations to petroleum, banking, aviation, real estate, textiles, power generation, Information Technology, ceramics, and more. The Beximco Park is a testament to the evolution of the import-export company into a multinational conglomerate.  He is working as the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser. He is also Member of Parliament from Dohar and Nawabganj.

Owing to his rich experience of more than 45 years in the field, Salman F Rahman was appointed as Awami League’s private sector development adviser. An environment promoting business was created at that time, boosting GDP growth rate by 7.2% in 2016, and 7.1% in 2017. Before that, debt fell by 32.4% in 2015 due to the government’s bullish approach.

Because of the stark Bangladeshi progress, Salman F Rahman has been acknowledged as an asset to the country, prompting Awami League to induct him into their party. On 30 December 2018, Salman will be contesting the General Elections from Dhaka-1, an extremely valued constituency with an electorate of 378,968 (2014).

Rahman’s victory has the potential to heavily alter the economic dynamics for the good. The government is aiming for Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021, where the entire country is integrated into a single digital network. To make that happen, economic dynamics need to be unrestrained but controlled. It’s only possible if the government is led by people who understand the intricacies of the market, the economy, and business.

Salman F Rahman: initiatives are being taken to establish the plastic industrial zone

Salman F Rahman, the private industry and investment adviser to the prime minister, pledged to take initiatives to establish the plastic industrial zone as soon as possible.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 15th International Plastic Fair 2019 jointly organised by the BPGMEA and Trade & Marketing Service Co Ltd at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.

“I am committed to developing the backward linkage industry along with other sectors as the prime minister has given me the responsibility to work for the development of the private sector” said the dynamic businessman and Beximco Group's vice chairman Salman F Rahman.

Rahman vowed to improve the ease of doing business ranking of the country through creating a business-friendly atmosphere. He also urged the plastics industry to put emphasis on recycling for reuse.

In the occasion, plastic goods manufacturers yesterday demanded establishment of a special industrial zone so that they can relocate the unplanned plastic factories that are based in Old Dhaka. At present, there are about 1,200 plastic factories in the oldest part of the capital, most of which are unauthorised, according to industry insiders. The global market size of plastic goods is about $570 billion and Bangladesh has only 0.06 percent market share.

In 2017-18, Bangladesh exported plastic items worth $600.89 million, which was 1.4 percent of the country's total export of $36.44 billion, according to the association. In the previous fiscal year, plastic goods export was $607.15 million.

Some 480 companies from 19 countries are taking part in the four-day fair at International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka and displaying products at 780 stalls in 15 categories. The major categories include packaging materials, plastic moulds, crockery, pharmaceuticals, households, toys, furniture, melamine, garment accessories and polypropylene woven bags.

Beximco Group going long way

Beximco Group is the largest conglomerate in Bangladesh. It was established in the 1970s by the two brothers – Salman F Rahman and Sohail F Rahman. Initially, the group dealt in exports of seafood and crushed bones to the European countries, and imports of medicine in the exchange of the exports.

Beximco has come a long way, and its growth has been impressive across these years. At present, the group operates across a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, marine foods, jute, textiles, information technology, hospitality, media, finance, and real estate among others.

Salman F Rahman, Vice-Chairman of Beximco Group, said in Fortune India, “We had to get the local boys to ferry us in their boats to check out the land.” However, with the revenue of $834 million, 6,00,000 employees, and market capitalization of $1.7 billion on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, Beximco Group has emerged as the largest private sector group in Bangladesh. The achievements of the group wouldn’t not have been possible without the vision and expertise of Salman F Rahman.

Beximco Group is now expanding its business in energy sector. it already initiated to set up Bangladesh's first ever Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-based power plant. it already signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Power.

The agreement was signed between Salman F Rahman and Russell Stokes, President and CEO of GE Power, on behalf of their respective companies. After signing the MoU, Salman F Rahman informed the media, “It would be the first LPG-based power plant of the country. There are initiatives for natural gas, coal and oil-based power plants in Bangladesh.” “The government wants to generate electricity through alternative means. Therefore, Beximco Group has taken up such an initiative to implement the goal. It would be possible to generate about 150MW of electricity. The LPG-based power plant would add a new dimension to the power sector,” he added.

The group already operates its energy venture through two of its establishments – Beximco Petroleum Limited and Beximco Power Company Limited. Established in 2009, Beximco Petroleum Limited locally processes the fuels to ensure energy security to the nation. Whereas, Beximco Power Company Limited has ventured into establishing a 540 MW power project in Bangladesh.

The vice-chairman of Beximco Group expressed hope regarding the new venture. He informed that the plant would most likely begin supplying electricity to the national grid within two years.

Beximco Group, with the vision of taking Bangladesh to the world, is expanding every day.