Eminent Bangladeshi entrepreneur and industrialist Syed Manzur Elahi passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday (Mar 12) morning. He breathed his last at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore at 9:31 a.m. (Singapore time), local media reported citing Elahi's son Syed Nasim Manzur. Elahi was suffering from old-age complications.
"We are trying to bring him back to Dhaka today (Wednesday) and want to hold his Namaz-e-Janaza and funeral tomorrow," said Syed Nasim Manzur.
Born in 1942, Elahi has an inspiring entrepreneurial journey. He led major business chambers and won various awards, including the lifetime achievement awards by DHL and The Daily Star, for his contribution to trade and industry.
He bought the humble Orient Tannery in 1975. It later paved the way for a transformation into the diverse corporation that Apex has become. Apex Footwear is now one of the largest footwear companies in Bangladesh in terms of domestic market and exports.
CA mourns death of Syed Manzur Elahi
Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of eminent industrialist and former caretaker government adviser Syed Manzur Elahi.
In a condolence message, he said Elahi was a unique personality in the entrepreneurial world of Bangladesh while he was a patriotic businessman.
Mentioning that Elahi played an important role in advancing the country's leather industry, the chief adviser said with his dedicated diligent work, Apex Footwear became the country's leading shoe exporter.
In 1996, he said Elahi served as an adviser of the then caretaker government, taking over responsibilities of the Communications, Shipping, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Posts and Telecommunications, and Housing and Public Works ministries.
Prof Yunus said he also served as an adviser to the Ministries of Agriculture, Shipping, Fisheries and Livestock in the former caretaker government in 2001.
Lauding his skills during his tenure in the then caretaker governments, the chief adviser said the late industrialist also had outstanding achievements as an organiser, while he was the president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka, and a member of the board of trustees of research think-tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
"I deeply mourn the death of Syed Manzur Elahi, a respected and patriotic industrialist in the entrepreneurial world of Bangladesh. I pray for the eternal peace of his departed soul and express my deep sympathy to the bereaved family members," he added.
