Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL, one of Bangladesh’s largest industrial conglomerates, has pledged to continue advocating for renewable energy until it is fully integrated into the national grid.
Speaking at a panel discussion during the Sustainable Summit 2025, he declared, “I will not stop protesting until renewable energy is officially included in the national grid. I will raise this issue repeatedly with the government because this is the future.”
His remarks came during a session titled “The Role of Leadership in Embedding ESG (Environment, Society, and Governance) in Business Strategy”, held on Saturday morning (July 12) at a Dhaka hotel as part of the first day of the summit.
The event was jointly organised by Akij Bashir Group, SMC, and the Bangladesh Brand Forum.
The panel featured prominent business leaders including Sabbir Hasan Nasir, Managing Director of Shwapno; Sayef Naser, Managing Director of Social Marketing Company; and Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director of Mutual Trust Bank.
The discussion was moderated by Professor Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor of ULAB University, who guided the conversation on challenges and opportunities in sustainable and ethical investing.
Pushing for merchant power policy
Ahsan Khan also emphasised the urgent need for a merchant power policy in Bangladesh.
He highlighted PRAN’s ongoing solar energy project in Moulvibazar, which he described as potentially the country’s largest renewable energy initiative. The project combines solar power generation with aquaculture, using land efficiently through a dual-use model.
“We submitted our merchant power policy proposal to the government,” he said. “Bangladesh does not yet have a formal merchant power framework, but we are pushing forward. We won’t go abroad to implement such policies – we believe if Thailand or Vietnam can do it, so can Bangladesh.”
He iterated that the biggest barrier to implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards is not a lack of resources, but rather a lack of political and corporate will. “We are ready to do whatever it takes,” he added.
Appealing directly to global buyers, he invited public feedback: “If you find any shortcomings in our ESG practices, please let us know through social media. Constructive criticism helps us improve. The more we listen, the better we become.”
He stressed the importance of collaboration between businesses and the government. “We must engage in open dialogue. While we understand the government’s concerns, they should also understand ours. Transparency and cooperation are key to progress.”
Challenges in implementing ESG practices
Sabbir Hasan Nasir, Managing Director of Shwapno, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the practical difficulties companies face when trying to adopt sustainable practices. He pointed out the growing demand for jute packaging, noting that while it aligns with environmental goals, cost and supply shortages remain major hurdles.
“For Shwapno alone, we need over 1,00,000 jute bags daily. But the current production capacity and pricing make it difficult to meet that demand sustainably,” he explained.
The discussion underscored the growing momentum behind ESG in Bangladesh, even as stakeholders navigate complex economic and regulatory landscapes.