‘Govt will facilitate new generation leaders to adapt to 4th industrial revolution’

Salman F Rahman, private industry and investment adviser to the prime minister, has said the government will help new entrepreneurs to be ready for the next era of industrialisation.

"Bangladeshis are very enterprising and the government will work to facilitate our entrepreneurs and new generation leaders adapt to the 4th as well as 5th industrial revolution and take our country forward," said the adviser as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of a workshop entitled "Future of Business Leadership" on Saturday.

The two-day long programme to prepare the next generation business leaders of Chattogram with the knowledge to sustainably grow their business in the changing global context was supported by Citibank, NA and organised in partnership with the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI), Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka and Bangladesh Centre of Excellence, reads a press release.

Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar, director, IBA, University of Dhaka, who was the lead facilitator of the workshop, said, "Leaders are the brain of an organisation that guides other functions to operate efficiently and therefore if the leaders aren't maximizing their ability, the long term sustainability of an organisation is under imminent threat. They must stay ahead of the changes taking place but at the same time link themselves with the human values."

N Rajashekaran (Shekar), citi country officer and managing director of Citibank, NA Bangladesh, said, "Citibank, NA Bangladesh is very happy to be able to support this unique workshop organised for the business leaders based in the port city Chattogram for the first time. We hope, this initiative would propel the participants' leadership journey forward."

CCCI President Mahbubul Alam said, "The CCCI in continuation to its commitment to complement the government efforts to realise the national vision of becoming a developed country by 2041, has taken this step to strengthen the business leadership at Chattogram."

Tapan Chowdhury, CEO and managing director of Square Group, said, "One of the key components in the successful transition of leadership in a family business is to ensure all the stakeholders – the employees, partners – are in sync on a long term perspective".

Dr Hillol Bala from Indiana University spoke on disruptive technology and digitalisation at the workshop.

Seventeen renowned business leaders of Chattogram from 14 different organisations joined the programme. Export, local and public listed industries ranging from sectors like real estate and construction materials to readymade garment, pharmaceuticals and large conglomerates participated in the workshop. Collectively these organisations contribute to more than 60,000 in direct employment.

CCCI directors SM Abu Tayyab, Shahriar Jahan and Salman Habib; Engr Monower Shahadat, vice chairman of Base Textile Ltd; Engr Iftekhar Hosen, managing director of the CPDL; Zahir Uddin Ahmed, managing director of Confidence Cement;  Salauddin Yousuf, director of Lub-rref Bangladesh; Azeezur Rahman Khan, director of Thianis Apparel Ltd;  Sarwar Jahan, director of KSRM Steel Plants Ltd; Meheruba Mahbub, director of M Alam Group; and Tanvir Shahriar, CEO of Ranks FC Properties Ltd, among others, were present on the occasion.

The programme marked its beginning on Friday with a two-day long custom-designed workshop by IBA, the University of Dhaka titled "Visionary Leadership for Growth, Strategy & Governance" hosted in Chattogram.