Top leaders from 18 leading business organizations paid heartfelt tribute to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia during a memorial and doa mahfil, highlighting her pivotal role in strengthening democracy and advancing Bangladesh’s economic progress.
The event, titled ‘Memorial and Doa Mahfil for Late Begum Khaleda Zia’, was organized by the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICC Bangladesh) on Monday (5 January 2026) afternoon at a city hotel. Special prayers were offered seeking eternal peace for her departed soul.
Speakers at the mahfil emphasized that Begum Khaleda Zia’s tenure marked a turning point for the country. Under her leadership, democratic values were upheld while a strong foundation was laid for private sector growth and overall economic development.
Mahbubur Rahman, President of ICC Bangladesh, said, “Begum Khaleda Zia’s initiatives in democratic reform and poverty alleviation were unparalleled. Her policies provided the foundation for private sector development and national progress.”
Referring to the USD 500 million KAFCO fertilizer project implemented jointly with Japan, Denmark, and the Netherlands during BNP’s second term, he added that the country’s GDP strengthened significantly, and Bangladesh made remarkable strides in attracting foreign investment.
“Under Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership, Bangladesh reached an unprecedented level of privatization. Through this initiative, the country gained recognition in the global economy,” Mahbubur Rahman noted.
Taskeen Ahmed, President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said that the new generation of business leaders is committed to advancing Bangladesh’s economy under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
Abdul Hai Sarker, President of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), highlighted one of Khaleda Zia’s most distinctive qualities: “She spoke less and listened more. She paid close attention to businesspeople and made decisions based on fairness and her own judgment.”
Mohammad Hatem, President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said, “The journey of prosperity in Bangladesh’s garment sector began under Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership.” He added, “She thought of the country and its people throughout her life. Just as I was privileged to attend the funeral of the late President Ziaur Rahman, I consider it an honor to have attended Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral as well.”
Abdul Muktadir, President of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), noted that the liberalization policies that helped develop Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector were largely implemented under BNP and Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership.
The mahfil began with a one-minute silence in memory of Begum Khaleda Zia.
From BNP, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the event.
Leaders and top representatives from several other major business organizations, including the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB), Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC), Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association (BCMA), and the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB) also attended the program.
