Today marks the 10th death anniversary of Major General (Retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury, a pioneer of Bangladesh’s agro-processing industry and the founder of the PRAN-RFL Group. He passed away on this day in 2015 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the United States.
To commemorate the occasion, a special prayer session will be held after Asr prayers today at the PRAN Centre in Badda, Dhaka. Employees of PRAN-RFL Group will also be able to join the session online.
According to family sources, Amjad Khan Chowdhury was born on November 10, 1939, into the distinguished Chowdhury family of Natore. His father was the late Ali Kashem Khan Chowdhury, and his mother was the late Amatur Rahman. His children are Azhar Khan Chowdhury, Dr. Sera Haque, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, and Uzma Chowdhury.
He began his education at Dhaka's Nabakumar Institute. In 1956, he joined the Pakistan Army and later graduated from the Australian Staff College. During his military career, he served in various key positions and retired from the Bangladesh Army in 1981 with the rank of Major General.
Following his retirement, he founded Rangpur Foundry Limited (RFL), marking the beginning of the PRAN-RFL Group. Under his visionary leadership, the group grew into one of the country’s leading manufacturers of food and household products. It now employs approximately 158,000 people and exports to 148 countries worldwide.
Amjad Khan Chowdhury was a multi-faceted personality who held key positions in several trade and business organizations, including the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), and Bangladesh Dairy Association.
He was also the founder of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), Bangladesh Agro-Processors’ Association (BAPA), and the Underprivileged Children’s Education Program (UCEP).
Through his business ventures and commitment to job creation, Amjad Khan Chowdhury made a significant contribution to the country’s private sector. He is widely recognized as a leading figure in promoting economic growth through agriculture and agro-based industries. His contributions to social and cultural development are also fondly remembered.