A Detailed Biography of Ahmed Akbar Sobhan

The success of East West Property Development inspired Ahmed to explore other opportunities in related sectors. This led to the establishment of the Bashundhara Group.

1. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan
Founder of Bashundhara Group

2. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan is a Bangladeshi business magnate and the Founder of Bashundhara Group.
One of the most prominent business figures in Bangladesh, he has a long list of professional
accomplishments in various industrial and commercial sectors.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan: Early Years and Education
Ahmed Akbar Sobhan was born on February 15, 1952, in Islampur in the old Dhaka City of
Bangladesh. The youngest son of Alhaj Abdus Sobhan and Umme Kulsum, he is part of a
distinguished family with a brother and four sisters. His father, Alhaj, was an esteemed lawyer and
official at the Dhaka High Court.

Ahmed graduated from the University of Dhaka with a degree in Business Studies. He has an
exemplary academic record and was highly regarded by his teachers and his peers. He was also
actively involved in many extracurricular activities and was a very capable athlete.
Initial Forays Into Business
Ahmed began his professional career in 1978 with his entry into the service sector. Around the
same time, he also began exploring domestic commercial trading opportunities. Early on, he
displayed a rare talent for business and innovation, laying the groundwork for what would be a
hugely successful professional life.
East West Property Development
At this point in Ahmed’s life, the rising young entrepreneur had already begun laying the
groundwork for what would later become a billion-dollar megacorporation.

The first major step was the establishment of East West Property Development (Pvt) Ltd., which
later became the mother company of the Bashundhara Group. A key player in the burgeoning
Bangladesh real estate development arena, East West was a hugely profitable venture from the
very beginning. Shortly after it was established, it became popularly known as “Bashundhara
Housing” and has since achieved significant renown in the local property development market.
The Bashundhara Group is Born
The success of East West Property Development inspired Ahmed to explore other opportunities
in related sectors. This led to the establishment of the Bashundhara Group.

3. With his characteristic hard work, dedication, and tenacity, he set about establishing a presence
in various moderate to heavy ventures, including paper production, steel work, engineering,
cement, and galvanized iron pipe manufacturing, LP gas, dredging, and shipping. He even made
inroads into the food and beverage industry.

Altogether, the Bashundhara Group eventually owned and managed nearly three dozen business
operations in various sectors.

Impact on the Bangladeshi Business Environment
Currently, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan holds the position of Founder of Bashundhara Group, marking a
significant milestone in Bangladesh’s business and corporate history, being one of the largest
corporations in the country.

Even as Bashundhara Group assumes its rightful place as one of the largest business groups in
Bangladesh, the country’s financial and business figures acknowledge the company’s notable
contributions to the economy.

Of course, Bashundhara Group's spectacular rise to the top wouldn’t have been possible without the
outstanding leadership and vision of Ahmed Akbar Sobhan. While many other Bangladeshi business
figures have launched their own profitable enterprises, few have come close to achieving Ahmed’s
broad-reaching achievements.

The key to Ahmed’s success is his implementation of a well-designed corporate management
structure with meticulously defined responsibilities. He also has a gift for strategic delegation of
authority, which enables effective and efficient project implementation while maintaining
accountability.
Sociocultural and Humanitarian Activities
Even with his impressive list of accomplishments, Ahmed always makes time to help other people in
need. Bashundhara Group remains committed to the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR), often extending its aid and assistance beyond cultural and geographical borders.

On a personal level, Ahmed is actively involved with several socio-civic and humanitarian
initiatives. For the Bangladeshi business mogul, these activities are his way of giving back to the
community by making a significant difference in the lives of everyday people.