Leading industrialist Akij Uddin’s 14th death anniv Saturday

The 14th death anniversary of Sheikh Akij Uddin, a leading industrialist of the country and founder of Akij Group, will be observed on Saturday.

The prominent figure in the development of the country's industry sector died on October 10, 2006 while undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore at an age of 77 years.

The late Sheikh Akij Uddin will be remembered by his family and all the workers of the factories established by him, according to Sheikh Afil Uddin, a son of the deceased and lawmaker from Jashore-1.

He will also be recalled by the people to whom he extended a helping hand.

Sheikh Akij Uddin was an important figure of Bangladesh in the industry sector. Far-sightedness and determination characterised him so deeply so that a 13-year-old boy, who set off his first journey in the world of commerce with a capital of Tk16 only, had become an institution himself. Such was his endeavour to translate a dream into reality.

As a result, the industry that started from a mere bidi factory later developed into one of the top business conglomerates of Bangladesh.

He had succeeded at almost every level of commerce, which had brought him fame beyond the country. The huge expansion of his trade has also played a role in the country's revenue sector.

Again, he did not see trade as a means of earning profit only. Rather, he extended his role to public services too.

Ad-Din Hospital and Ad-Din Welfare Trust, two leading maternal and child healthcare facilities of Bangladesh, were established by late Akij. He set up some schools for meritorious poor students too.

Akij Uddin has become a legendary industrialist through his talent, creativity and hard work. He has created employment opportunities for millions by building one potential industry after another.

After attaining success in the bidi factory, he set up a state-of-the-art leather factory in Jashore's Abhaynagar, SAF Industries, and Dhaka Tobacco Company.

After independence, Akij Printing and Packaging Limited was formed in 1984. Akij Uddin founded Akij Transport, Navaran Printing and Packaging, Jess Pharmaceuticals, Akij Match Factory, Akij Jute Mill, Akij Cement Company, Akij Textile, Akij Particle Mills, Akij Housing, Akij Food & Beverages Ltd, Akij Online, Akij Corporation Ltd, Akij Computers Ltd, Akij Institute and Technology, Afil Agro Ltd, Afil Paper Mills and some other business establishments.

Apart from doing business and trade, Akij Uddin also established Ad-Din Nursing Institute, Akij Collegiate School, Sakhina School for Girls and some other charitable organisations.

Sheikh Akij Uddin was born to the late Sheikh Mofiz Uddin and the late Lalmati Bibi in 1929 in village Madhyadanga under Fultala in Khulna.