Founder, Syed Manzur Elahi Enterprises
Syed Manzur Elahi
Date 26 February 1942 - 12 March 2025
Syed
Manzur
Elahi
was
a
visionary
industrialist,
principled
leader,
and
nation
builder
whose
legacy
of
entrepreneurship,
institution-building,
and
public
service
continues
to
inspire
generations
across
Bangladesh
and
beyond.
Symbol of Ethics
Guided
by
unwavering
ethics,
Syed
Manzur
Elahi
built
enduring
institutions
with
integrity,
inspired
trust
across
sectors,
and
set
a
lifelong
example
of
doing
business
with
honor,
humility,
and
responsibility
The Visionary Founder
Syed
Manzur
Elahi
(1942
-
2025)
was
a
pioneering
industrialist,
philanthropist,
and
statesman
who
played
a
defining
role
in
shaping
Bangladesh's
private
sector
landscape
over
more
than
five
decades.
As
the
Founding
Chairman
of
Apex
Footwear
Ltd.,
he
was
instrumental
in
turning
a
local
enterprise
into
an
internationally
recognized
brand,
with
exports
reaching
over
50
countries
and
a
reputation
built
on
quality,
compliance,
and
innovation.
His
legacy
is
deeply
rooted
in
his
ability
to
blend
vision
with
execution
and
values
with
value-creation.
A
respected
voice
in
both
business
and
policy
circles,
Mr.
Elahi's
leadership
extended
well
beyond
corporate
boardrooms—into
national
policymaking,
education,
civil
society,
and
diplomacy.
Pioneering Business Leadership
Mr.
Elahi's
entrepreneurial
journey
began
with
the
establishment
of
Apex
Tannery
Ltd.,
one
of
the
earliest
export-oriented
tanning
units
in
Bangladesh,
at
a
time
when
industrial
infrastructure
was
in
its
infancy.
His
foresight
helped
transform
Bangladesh's
leather
sector
into
a
key
contributor
to
the
national
economy.
He
went
on
to
found
and
lead
several
other
businesses
that
are
now
household
names
and
pillars
of
the
corporate
world
in
Bangladesh.
These
include
Apex
Enterprises
Ltd.,
Blue
Ocean
Footwear
Ltd.,
Grey
Advertising
Bangladesh
Ltd.,
Quantum
Consumer
Solutions
Ltd.,
Pioneer
Insurance
Co.
Ltd.,
and
Mutual
Trust
Bank
PLC.
Many
of
these
companies
are
publicly
traded
and
consistently
listed
in
the
“A”
category
on
the
Dhaka
and
Chattogram
Stock
Exchanges—testament
to
their
performance
and
governance.
Each
venture
under
his
leadership
was
built
on
a
foundation
of
integrity,
long-term
vision,
and
a
commitment
to
social
impact—values
that
continue
to
guide
these
organizations
to
this
day.
Champion of Institutional Development
A
hallmark
of
Mr.
Elahi's
career
was
his
unwavering
belief
in
the
importance
of
strong
institutions.
He
served
as
Chairman
of
several
influential
companies
and
nonprofit
organizations,
including
Apex
Pharma
Ltd.,
Apex
Investments
Ltd.,
and
Sunbeams
School
Ltd.,
a
highly
reputed
educational
institution
in
Dhaka.
He
was
also
a
founding
or
guiding
force
behind
prominent
civil
society
and
policy
institutions
such
as
the
East
West
University
Foundation
(EWUF),
Manusher
Jonno
Foundation,
Centre
for
Policy
Dialogue
(CPD),
Bangladesh
Freedom
Foundation,
and
the
Diabetic
Association
of
Bangladesh.
His
guidance
played
a
key
role
in
shaping
their
missions
and
expanding
their
reach.
Mr.
Elahi
also
served
as
Chairman
of
the
Credit
Rating
Agency
of
Bangladesh
Ltd.
and
International
Publications
Ltd.,
the
publisher
of
The
Financial
Express,
one
of
the
country's
most
respected
financial
newspapers.
Distinguished Roles in Public Service
Mr.
Elahi's
contributions
extended
into
public
life,
where
he
served
Bangladesh
during
pivotal
moments
in
its
history.
He
was
appointed
as
an
Adviser
to
the
Caretaker
Governments
in
both
1996
and
2001,
entrusted
with
cabinet-level
responsibilities
to
oversee
fair
governance
and
democratic
transition.
His
integrity,
non-partisan
approach,
and
deep
understanding
of
governance
made
him
an
invaluable
asset
during
politically
sensitive
times.
He
held
leadership
roles
in
many
regulatory
and
advisory
bodies,
such
as
Chairman
of
the
Bangladesh
Association
of
Banks
(BAB),
Central
Depository
Bangladesh
Ltd.,
and
Vice
Chairman
of
the
Bangladesh
Association
of
Publicly
Listed
Companies
(BAPLC).
He
also
served
as
Director
of
Bangladesh
Bank,
Sonali
Bank,
Bangladesh
Krishi
Bank,
and
the
Export
Promotion
Bureau
(EPB).
His
influence
extended
to
the
broader
business
community
as
President
of
the
Metropolitan
Chamber
of
Commerce
and
Industry
(MCCI),
President
of
the
Bangladesh
Employers'
Association
(BEA),
and
President
of
the
Dhaka
University
Alumni
Association
(DUAA).
Additionally,
he
represented
Belgium
as
the
Honorary
Consul
in
Bangladesh,
strengthening
bilateral
commercial
and
cultural
ties.
Honors, Awards & Recognition
Over
his
lifetime,
Mr.
Elahi
was
the
recipient
of
numerous
prestigious
awards
that
recognized
his
contributions
to
industry,
policy,
and
nation-building.
These
include
the
Business
Executive
Award,
Business
Person
of
the
Year,
and
numerous
trade
honors
for
excellence
in
entrepreneurship
and
ethical
leadership.
In
2023,
he
was
conferred
the
“Lifetime
Achievement
Award”
by
the
21st
DHL-The
Daily
Star
Bangladesh
Business
Awards,
one
of
the
country's
highest
recognitions
for
business
excellence.
The
award
acknowledged
not
just
his
success
as
an
entrepreneur,
but
also
his
role
as
a
nation
builder,
mentor,
and
civic
leader.
Legacy of Leadership & Compassion
Syed
Manzur
Elahi
passed
away
on
March
12,
2025,
at
the
age
of
83,
following
a
brief
illness.
He
leaves
behind
a
towering
legacy—one
of
principled
leadership,
relentless
entrepreneurship,
and
deep
commitment
to
the
betterment
of
society.
Beyond
his
corporate
and
civic
accomplishments,
he
was
a
man
of
compassion,
humility,
and
dignity.
He
mentored
countless
professionals,
empowered
young
leaders,
and
gave
generously
to
causes
close
to
his
heart.
His
work
has
left
an
indelible
imprint
on
Bangladesh's
economic
and
social
fabric.
Today,
his
vision
lives
on
through
the
institutions
he
built,
the
lives
he
touched,
and
the
values
he
championed.
He
will
be
remembered
not
only
as
a
founder,
leader,
and
statesman—but
also
as
a
true
patriot
who
worked
selflessly
for
a
better
Bangladesh.