History of the Bangladesh Business Award
Every year, the Bangladesh Business Award ceremony spotlights the most outstanding business leaders, enterprises, and financial institutions across the country. In its 23rd edition, the Bangladesh Business Award continues to carry prestige and influence—presented by DHL Express Bangladesh in partnership with The Daily Star. The 2025 ceremony honored trailblazers whose innovations, leadership, and resilience define Bangladesh’s growth trajectory.
The Bangladesh Business Award was launched in the year 2000, with the aim of recognizing excellence, competitiveness, and leadership in Bangladesh’s private sector. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most respected awards in the business community. Over two decades, it has acknowledged individuals and organizations that push boundaries, promote good governance, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Because of its consistent alignment with business ethics and performance, the Bangladesh Business Award is often viewed as a benchmark for corporate excellence in Bangladesh.
Who Gives the Bangladesh Business Award
The Bangladesh Business Award is jointly presented by DHL Express Bangladesh and The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s leading English daily. DHL provides support, visibility, and logistical backing for the award, while The Daily Star handles the nomination, evaluation, and media coverage. At the 23rd edition, the awards were handed over by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed during the ceremony at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, with Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin also in attendance. This ceremony underscores the commitment of both organizations to elevate business standards and celebrate innovation.
The 23rd Bangladesh Business Award Winners
The 23rd Bangladesh Business Award recognized five outstanding entities in the 2024 cycle across several key categories. The winners and their achievements are:
Lifetime Achievement Award
- M. Anis Ud Dowla (Chairman, ACI Group)
He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of leadership, business transformation, and ethical governance. Under his guidance, ACI grew from a modest entity into a diversified conglomerate with thousands of employees and revenues across pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, and consumer goods. Throughout his career, Dowla emphasised ethical practices and long-term value creation. He often likens business to planting a tree, saying: “Unless your roots become strong, you cannot grow big.” He has consistently discouraged short-term greed, urging young entrepreneurs to prioritise integrity, quality, and sustainable market-building.
Business Person of the Year 2024
- Ahsan Khan Chowdhury (Chairman & CEO, Pran-RFL Group)
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury was named Business Person of the Year, recognizing the transformation of Pran-RFL from a modest agro venture into one of Bangladesh’s largest diversified conglomerates. Over his tenure, the company expanded to 6000 product lines, 167,000 employees, and an annual turnover exceeding $3 billion.and deepened its supply chain presence. Chowdhury joined the business in 1992, leaving his studies in the United States to support his father, Maj Gen (retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury, founder of Pran Group. He carried forward his father’s vision of building value-added industries rooted in Bangladesh’s agricultural strength. What began with processed pineapple and local produce has evolved into an industrial powerhouse spanning food, plastics, appliances, bicycles, and more.
Best Enterprise of the Year
- Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC
Walton was awarded Best Enterprise of the Year, celebrating its transformation in the electronics and home appliances sector. Under the leadership of SM Mahbubul Alam, Walton has established itself as a manufacturing and export force, reaching global markets. Over the years, Walton has diversified its product line to include televisions, smartphones, motorcycles, compressors and lifts. It now meets 60 percent to 70 percent of the domestic demand for appliances and exports to over 50 countries under its own brand name, making “Made in Bangladesh” a mark of quality in electronics.
Best Financial Institution of the Year
- City Bank
Recognized for robust governance reforms, financial growth, and expansion of services, City Bank won this award. Mashrur Arefin, its Managing Director & CEO, accepted the honor. City Bank has shown resilience, rebuilding its performance and modernizing operations. The private commercial bank has been operating for more than 42 years. With an 18.6 percent rise in total assets, 25.8 percent growth in deposits, and an 11 percent increase in loans and advances, the bank demonstrated remarkable financial resilience.
Outstanding Woman in Business
- Sadia Haque (Co-founder & CEO, ShareTrip)
Sadia Haque received this accolade for her leadership in travel-tech and fintech. She left a successful corporate path at Grameenphone, Nokia, Banglalink, and BBC World Service Trust to build ShareTrip, which has redefined travel booking in Bangladesh. Under her leadership, ShareTrip has raised over $11.5 million, expanded into fintech with “STPay”, and entered international markets with a branch office in Dubai. The company now boasts over 1.5 million app downloads and multiple industry awards, including World Travel Awards’ Leading Online Travel Agency (2019–2024).
Why the Bangladesh Business Award Matters
The Bangladesh Business Award carries significance beyond props and trophies. It aims to spotlight role models in the business world, so others can emulate them.The award encourages entrepreneurship, transparency, and adoption of best practices—goals that align with national development priorities.
For winners, the recognition brings enhanced credibility, media attention, and networking opportunities. For the wider business community, it provides benchmarks for innovation, management discipline, and sustainable growth.
Looking Ahead
As the Bangladesh Business Award enters its third decade, it is expected to evolve with the changing dynamics of the business world. The award will likely place more emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, while also recognizing the rising influence of technology, startups, and women-led enterprises. With increasing digitization, the nomination, evaluation, and award processes are set to become more transparent and accessible. At the same time, new categories may be introduced to acknowledge emerging sectors such as green industries, ensuring the award remains relevant and reflective of Bangladesh’s evolving economic landscape.