Ahsan Khan Chowdhury named Business Person of the Year 2024
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group, has been named Business Person of the Year 2024, recognising his leadership in expanding one of Bangladesh’s largest industrial conglomerates.
The award was presented at the Bangladesh Business Awards 2024, jointly organised by DHL and The Daily Star, on Tuesday evening at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.
This year’s theme was “Powering the Private Sector.”
In addition to Chowdhury, four others were honoured: City Bank as Best Financial Institution, Walton Group as Best Organisation, Anis Ud Daula, Founder Chairman of ACI Limited, with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Sadia Haque, Founder & CEO of ShareTrip, as Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed handed the award to Chowdhury, with Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin also in attendance.
DHL Express Bangladesh Managing Director Md Miarul Haque praised the winners, saying: “Bangladesh is on the path of transformation today, where the private sector is the main driving force. These awardees are contributing not just to industries, but to the nation’s economic progress.”
Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam struck a sharper note, reminding the audience of past failures in corporate governance: “Some corporate leaders have looted banks and humiliated the country by using political connections. The first step is to distinguish between honest and dishonest businessmen.”
He added: “Those who have done business honestly have survived despite political isolation, corruption, and lack of government support. They deserve our respect.” Calling on the interim government, he urged: “Even small initiatives can bring big changes. Leave a blueprint for the next elected government. And I call on the private sector to prepare its own charter, so the nation knows what cooperation you expect.”
Profile: Ahsan Khan Chowdhury
Son of PRAN-RFL Group founder Amjad Khan Chowdhury, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury took over as Chairman and CEO in 2017. Under his leadership, PRAN-RFL has expanded into more than 145 countries, becoming Bangladesh’s leading exporter of agro-processed foods and plastic products. The group now employs over 1,50,000 people, contributing significantly to rural industrialisation and the country’s export earnings. Industry insiders credit Chowdhury’s vision for driving the group’s global growth while maintaining its strong domestic market presence.