Salman F Rahman (সালমান এ। রাহমান): The story of Bangladesh’s business tycoon

Bangladesh is home to a series of great businessmen that have proved their mettle on various occasions in their respective industries. These personalities have contributed a fair share in transforming Bangladesh from a ‘basket case’ to one of the text book examples of growth and development. However, Salman F Rahman, one of the initial businessmen of independent Bangladesh, has had a guiding role to play in the country’s overall development.

Hailing from one of the first business families of Bangladesh, Salman F Rahman began his career with a family inherited jute mill in 1966. Contrary to the condition of undertaking the mill, Rahman brought it to a profit bearing stage by 1970. However, with independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the mill was nationalized and its operations were shut down. It was then that the idea of Beximco took birth.  

Beximco started as a seafood export company that targeted international markets of countries like Belgium, France, Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands. Though the deal was initially based on the import of cash worth the segment, Salman F Rahman modified it to import pharmaceuticals amounting to the value of seafood, considering the immediate need of Bangladesh. Though several more trades were made on the same conditions, Rahman decided to manufacture the required pharmaceuticals locally and thus, he incorporated Beximco Pharmaceuticals in 1980.

Since then, Salman F Rahman never looked back and went onto to establish the textile, ceramics, energy, and other divisions of Beximco Group. Gradually, Rahman’s company expanded its operations across multiple industries and began its journey to become the largest conglomerate of Bangladesh. The dynamic Bangladeshi businessman used his business acumen and industry experience to meet the local demands of the country as well as establish a strong foundation for exports.

Currently, Beximco’s textile and pharmaceutical units are one of the leaders of the Bangladeshi export market in their respective domains. In 2005, Beximco Pharmaceuticals became the first Bangladeshi company to be listed on London Stock Exchange and made the same record for exporting pharmaceuticals in the US market within a span of a few years. Considering the transformation trajectory of Beximco since its inception, it is not an understatement to say that the same can be traced for Rahman’s individual growth.

Salman F Rahman is counted in one of the top businessmen in Bangladesh because apart from his company, he has held major positions of responsibilities. Rahman has been the former president of leading organizations including Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI), SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, etc. In addition, Rahman is currently the chairman of Board of Governors of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute.

Tracing his recent career development, Salman F Rahman has been appointed as the Private Sector Industry and Investment advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. His journey, from an aspiring businessman to a political statesman, has been an inspirational one for the upcoming businessmen of Bangladesh.

Know more about him.