Harvard alumni: Bangladesh a country of opportunity

Harvard Business School (HBS) Alumni have lauded the socio-economic development of Bangladesh achieved over the last decade – lifting millions out of poverty and accelerating economic growth and human development.

The delegation of the HBS which visited Bangladesh recently described Bangladesh as a country of opportunity, said a press release on Wednesday.

The visit was organised by Munir M Merali, member of HBS's Regional Advisory Board and AKDN's Resident Diplomatic Representative.

The programme was developed in collaboration with HBS's Research Regional Centre in Mumbai, Harvard Club of India and Harvard Alumni Association.

During their stay, the alumni held meetings and met Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Ambassador Farooq Shoban and Distinguished Fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya.

BGMEA President Rubana Haq, Chairperson, Association of Bankers, Bangladesh Syed Mahbubur Rahman and founder of Friendship NGO Runa Khan interacted and briefed them on the respective areas of expertise.

Alumni were warmly welcomed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as they met Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque. They also met Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das at her residence.

During the visit, the alumni visited the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) where its President Nihad Kabir and fellow members welcomed and hosted a lunch reception.

At the Harvard Alumni Networking evening, the concluding session of the visiting regional HBS alumni, a number of local and visiting alumni shared their distinctive business and personal experiences – making this an interactive and educational evening for all.

Group Director of Rahimafrooz Munawar Misbah Moin, founding Managing Director of Shohoz.com Maliha Quadir, founder, Chairman & CEO of PRAAVA Health Sylvana Q. Sinha,Rubayat Khan of JEEON, and CEO of Nirapon Moushumi Marufi Khan were present.

Members from the delegation who spoke included Anjali Raina, Executive Director and Vinita Bajoria of Harvard Business School India Research Centre India, Maneesh Yadav, CEO of Ask Financial Holdings and Gaurav Swarup, Managing Director of Paharpur Cooling Towers Ltd.