Corporate leaders congratulate Transcom Chairman Latifur Rahman on Business for Peace Award
Corporate leaders yesterday praised Transcom Group Chairman Latifur Rahman as the pride of the business community as he won the prestigious Business for Peace Award 2012.
The achievement will inspire local entrepreneurs to do ethical and responsible business, they said.
Rahman has set an example that business is possible with ethics and integrity, said Aftab ul Islam, president of American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, in his instant reaction.
“He is an icon for us.”
Co-sponsors of the prize — Business for Peace Foundation, Oslo, and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) — broke the news of the award globally yesterday.
In Dhaka, Mahbubur Rahman, president of ICC Bangladesh, disclosed the award formally at a press conference at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel.
“We are extremely proud that a Bangladeshi businessman has won the award,” said Asif Ibrahim, president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
It is recognition of Bangladesh’s businesspeople that they can do business in an ethical manner, Ibrahim said.
Latifur Rahman’s enterprises have clean tax records. His Transcom Group is one of the highest payers of corporate tax, VAT and import duty. It has a clean bank loan record, at a time when many top companies became wilful defaulters.
Amjad Khan Chowdhury, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and managing director of Pran-RFL Group, said this global recognition would act as an inspiration for other businessmen.
The business community looks up to Rahman for leadership and guidance. He held the presidency of the Bangladesh Employers Federation, the only body to represent employers in any government negotiation on industrial matters, for two terms.
He has also led the most prestigious MCCI, the oldest chamber body of the country, as its president for seven terms. He has been the vice president of the ICC Bangladesh for 17 years.
Muhammad A Rumee Ali, managing director of BRAC Enterprises and chairman of BRAC Bank, termed this award a great honour for Bangladesh.
“He is a role model.”
Ali said people outside Bangladesh have a perception that the country’s businesspeople lack governance and responsibility. “This recognition has proved that people here can do business ethically,” he added.
Md Fazlul Hoque, chairman of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, said the award recognises that business is growing in Bangladesh. “This recognition will help local business community be known globally.”
-With The Daily Star input
