Rajeeb Samdani: Harvesting Bangladesh’s potential in art and business
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
Rajeeb Samdani: Harvesting Bangladesh’s potential in art and business

Panorama

Zahangir Alom
18 February, 2021, 10:35 am
Last modified: 18 February, 2021, 11:32 am

Related News

  • Golden Harvest defers right share fund utilisation due to Covid-19
  • Samdani art foundation - CRI rare 1971 Photo Exhibition on "Guardian"
  • Bangladeshi art patrons Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani featured in ArtReview Power 100 list
  • Golden Harvest to invest Tk5cr in e-business
  • Golden Harvest incurs Tk7.34cr loss in Q1

Rajeeb Samdani: Harvesting Bangladesh’s potential in art and business

In Bangladesh’s art and culture scene, Rajeeb Samdani is a famous name. One ‘lesser known’ fact that sometimes gets lost from view is that he founded several successful business entities under the umbrella of the Golden Harvest Group and has been running them with panache

Zahangir Alom
18 February, 2021, 10:35 am
Last modified: 18 February, 2021, 11:32 am
Rajeeb Samdani, managing director of Golden Harvest group and an avid art collector. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash
Rajeeb Samdani, managing director of Golden Harvest group and an avid art collector. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash

During his early days as a collector, Rajeeb Samdani knew that simply aggregating artworks into a pile and calling it a collection was not going to be enough.  He wanted a 'richer relationship' with art, the artist, the art world. He used the same mantra in his journey as an entrepreneur as he realised without running his business ventures successfully, he couldn't funnel money to fire his passion for art.

In Bangladesh's art and culture scene, Rajeeb is a famous name for founding the Samdani Art Foundation (SAF) along with his wife Nadia Samdani and for being the co-founder and trustee of Dhaka Art Summit (DAS) which in the past few years has become the biggest art festival of the country. One 'lesser known' fact that sometimes gets lost from view is that he founded several successful business entities and has been running them with panache.

Rajeeb pioneered the frozen food business in Bangladesh under the brand name 'Golden Harvest' which now holds a lion's share of the country's frozen food market. The IT company named 'Golden Harvest InfoTech Limited' (GHITL) that he founded with only 20 people now has over 1,800 people and works with clientele from USA, UK, France, Germany and more.

In fact, the Golden Harvest group of which he is the managing director has interests in diversified sectors including frozen food, IT, food processing, agriculture, dairy, Ice-cream, QSR, dry food, cold chain, construction, industrial, office interior, insurance, infrastructure development, commodities, logistics and real estate.

The journey into entrepreneurship

This visionary entrepreneur took the road less-travelled at a time when others invested in ready-made garments (RMG) industry. Unbeknownst to most people, Rajeeb first ventured into the world of information technology (IT) and founded GHITL in 1999.

The multi-disciplinary outsourcing company works on digitising data from handwritten documents. It also provides Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) services.  The software that GHITL develops here is being exported to China, India, USA, Canada and other countries.

"Our employees, who even don't know a little German, are frequently processing data in German and other foreign languages. The data we are digitising now from German, Cyrillic Russian, Spanish, Italian, French, Latin, Portuguese and old English are several hundred years old. We are the only company in the world that digitises data from Cyrillic Russian," Rajeeb told The Business Standard.

During this pandemic, when the world economy got hit and most of the countries including Bangladesh were forced to impose a shutdown, GHITL took only 10 days to bring all their 1,800 employees online and made them work without interruption.

"Thanks to our IT infrastructure and advanced technology, we overcame the dark situation. Our exports were pretty good in the last year," said Rajeeb, "while many lost their jobs and faced wage curtail. We have already decided to recruit another 5,200 workers in the coming two years, and to launch new software through which we will train our BPO operators about artificial intelligence and machine learning."

Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash
Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash

Even before starting his IT firm, Rajeeb—then a student at the age of 23—thought of trying out his luck in business in 1997 when a friend told him to form a commodity brokerage house. They started with three employees and after 24 years, now they have nearly 6,500 people.

"To be frank, I started from zero. I am a first-generation businessman. Both of my parents were service holders and they wanted me to pursue a career like them," Rajeeb said, "But I thought of something else. I was even called a black sheep of our family for that."

There was a reason behind his parent's initial disappointment. While studying Business at the American College in Singapore, Rajeeb thought of putting his studies on hold and going back to Bangladesh.  Then he got enrolled at the North South University. He didn't even finish his degree there.

"As I said, I got engaged in business during my student life and I had to concentrate on doing business, rather than studying it."

Expansions under the golden harvest group

In 2004, Rajeeb started the frozen food business under the brand name 'Golden Harvest'. Aside from pioneering frozen food in the local market, the company started exporting their products to Australia, USA, Europe and other countries.

"Now you will find at least 22 such frozen food processing companies operating in the market, but it was us who first ventured into this untried avenue," mentioned Rajeeb.

"Our next focus is on products ready to eat like Tehari, Morog Polao etc. This year, we will diversify our products in the food business linking with e-commerce. Any challenge brings in opportunity. Covid-19 has hit us hard and made us learn new things. E-commerce is the future for us."

In 2012, Golden Harvest expanded a joint venture business into the logistics industry with its Japanese partner Nippon Express, the largest logistic company in Asia and the fourth largest logistic company in the world.

"Our logistics company now has three wings: Export-Import of garments related products; infrastructure, including logistics support to developing heavy industries like mono rail, bridges; and domestic delivery and storage. Under Japanese management we have become one of the leading logistic operators in Bangladesh."        

Golden Harvest launched its Ice-cream brand 'Bloop' in 2016. Besides, in partnership with Jubilant Food Works Limited, Golden Harvest launched the franchise of Domino's Pizza in Bangladesh in 2019. Domino's has four outlets in Dhaka and four other outlets are on the cards. Domino's Dhanmondi holds the global world record in terms of sales and the number of orders.

"When we opened our Dhanmondi outlet, clients would stand in queues on the streets for pizza. Domino's was the first food company that introduced contactless delivery. Others followed later," said Rajeeb. 

Golden Harvest achieved another milestone through forming a joint venture with IFC (International Finance Corporation)—a member of World Bank Group— in 2019 to set up the country's first cold chain network. The project, which received the 'Deal of the Year' award from Hong Kong in 2019, will go live at the end of this year.

Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash
Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash

"The project with IFC will work not only in terms of money, but also regarding expertise and knowledge. With it coming into effect, a revolution will take place for industries in Bangladesh," Rajeeb asserts, "The venture will increase food safety and quality of delivered products, reduce spoilage and contribute to the development of the country's logistics infrastructure and benefit export-import activities."

Love for arts and culture

Along with his wife Nadia Samdani, Rajeeb collects artworks from all over the world and has over 3,000 modern and contemporary artworks. Art from their collection has travelled to major exhibitions, such as documenta 14; Shanghai Biennale; Office for Contemporary Art, Norway; Centre Pompidou, Paris; Kunstsammlung Nordhrhein, Düsseldorf; Gwangju Biennale, South Korea and Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India.

SAF—the foundation that the couple formed in 2011 supports the country's contemporary art and architecture along with globally prestigious art biennale, collectives and initiatives. DAS, initiated by them, is now the biggest art festival of the country. 

The couple's new initiative is the Srihatta—Samdani Art Centre and Sculpture Park. Established under SAF, it is due to open in Sylhet in 2021. The centre is designed by Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury, who won the Aga Khan Award in 2016. This is also the country's first sculpture park and permanent art space for international modern and contemporary art.

"We have set up the park, which will focus on art, architecture, music, writing, curating, research and more," said the art connoisseur.  

The Samdanis were the first and only South Asians to receive the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage award in 2017. "It's a huge honour for us to receive the prestigious award. We donated the award money worth 15,000 Euro to Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy," said Rajeeb. They were also recognised on the Top 200 Collectors list by ARTnews from 2015–2020, the Power 100 list in 2015-2020 by Art Review and The World's Top 100 Art Collectors 2016 by ArtNet News.

Rajeeb is the founding member and co-chair of the South Asian Acquisition Committee of Tate Modern Museum, UK. He is a member of Tate's International Council and founding members of Harvard University Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute's Arts Advisory Council, USA. The Samdanis, who are members of Tate's International Council, are also members of Alserkal Avenue Programming Committee, Dubai and advisory council members of Art Dubai Art Fair.

Rajeeb firmly believes in giving back to society. He is a trustee and secretary general of the Bangladesh Human Rights Foundation, founder of the Alvina Samdani Trust and Taher Ahmed Choudhury Charitable Hospital in Bhadeshwar, Golapganj, Sylhet.

"My parents – Enamuzzaman Chowdhury and Zaheda Khatoon are my driving force, while my better-half Nadia Samdani is a great inspiration for all the feathers so far added to my crown. We have three daughters. I have taught them norms and values and how to respect others. Giving back to the society is my philosophy and I want to involve my daughters in such activities," Rajeeb concluded.

Features / Splash / Top News

Rajeeb Samdani / Samdani Art Foundation (SAF) / Golden Harvest InfoTech Limited (GHITL) / Golden Harvest Agro Industries Ltd

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Wheat stock at 3-year low and that may not be good for rice
    Wheat stock at 3-year low and that may not be good for rice
  • Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan gestures as he travels on a vehicle to lead a protest march in Islamabad, Pakistan May 26, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro
    Azadi March: Imran gives 6-day ultimatum to announce polls
  • VAT on locally-made mobile phones, fridges on cards
    VAT on locally-made mobile phones, fridges on cards

MOST VIEWED

  • Pacific Jeans uses sustainable technology in washing and finishing, and now has the facility to wash with zero water. Photo: Courtesy
    How big dreams and smart investment made Pacific Jeans a denim exporting giant 
  • Psycure has received various awards for their extraordinary contributions to promoting Sustainable Development Goals. Photo: Courtesy
    Psycure: Meet the organisation serving the underserved university students (and beyond) with mental healthcare 
  • Underlying problems such as school dropouts need to be addressed first before taking a legal route to stop child labour. Photo: Reuters
    ‘Child labour in a country like Bangladesh is primarily a development issue, not so much of enforcement’
  • A Russian army service member fires a howitzer during drills at the Kuzminsky range in the southern Rostov region, Russia January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo
    3 months of Ukraine war : Miscalculations, resistance and redirected focus
  • Musk is denying the sexual harassment allegation that surfaced this week. Photo: Bloomberg
    Elon Musk’s crazily banal week 
  • Illustration: TBS
    ‘The move to introduce DVS has changed the entire spectrum of financial auditing’

Related News

  • Golden Harvest defers right share fund utilisation due to Covid-19
  • Samdani art foundation - CRI rare 1971 Photo Exhibition on "Guardian"
  • Bangladeshi art patrons Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani featured in ArtReview Power 100 list
  • Golden Harvest to invest Tk5cr in e-business
  • Golden Harvest incurs Tk7.34cr loss in Q1

Features

Pacific Jeans uses sustainable technology in washing and finishing, and now has the facility to wash with zero water. Photo: Courtesy

How big dreams and smart investment made Pacific Jeans a denim exporting giant 

1h | Panorama
Psycure has received various awards for their extraordinary contributions to promoting Sustainable Development Goals. Photo: Courtesy

Psycure: Meet the organisation serving the underserved university students (and beyond) with mental healthcare 

22h | Panorama
Underlying problems such as school dropouts need to be addressed first before taking a legal route to stop child labour. Photo: Reuters

‘Child labour in a country like Bangladesh is primarily a development issue, not so much of enforcement’

1d | Panorama
The balcony railings of the Boro Sardar Bari in Sonargaon. Made of cast iron, these railings feature vertical posts with intricate designs on top. Photo: Noor-A-Alam

The evolution of railing and grille designs

1d | Habitat

More Videos from TBS

Tea tales at TSC

Tea tales at TSC

17m | Videos
What journalism students want to know

What journalism students want to know

47m | Videos
Where the people have more weapons than military

Where the people have more weapons than military

11h | Videos
Govt plans to amnesty in the offing to bring back laundered money to meet dollar crises

Govt plans to amnesty in the offing to bring back laundered money to meet dollar crises

14h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
Bangladesh

Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi

3
BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies
Stocks

BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies

4
Photo: Courtesy
Panorama

Misfit Technologies: A Singaporean startup rooted firmly in Bangladesh

5
Illustration: TBS
Banking

Let taka slide

6
Photo: Collected
Industry

Spanish recycled cotton producer opens new facility in Bangladesh

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab