MA Hashem, eminent industrialist and founder of Partex Group, passed away early Thursday from old age complications and  coronavirus infection. He was 77.

He had been in critical condition and was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since December 16 after testing positive for Covid-19.

He breathed his last at 1:20 am, his family said.

Dr Arif Mahmud, head of medical service of Evercare Hospital Ltd, said Hashem, also a former lawmaker, died from Covid-19.

His son Aziz Al Kaiser also confirmed the demise of the entrepreneur, who left behind a number of industries in different sectors since his modest start in the early 1960s.

The noted entrepreneur left behind wife Sultana Hashem, five sons -- Aziz Al Kaiser Tito, Aziz Al Mahmud, Aziz Al Masud, Rubel Aziz and Showkat Aziz Russell -- and a large number of relatives and admirers to mourn his death. 

Born in 1943 in Noakhali's Begumganj, Hashem started in the tobacco trading business and in the early 70s, he established M/S. Hashem Corporation (Pvt) Ltd with its headquarters in Chittagong, said Partex Group.

After independence he got involved in the import of iron, steel, cement, sugar, rice, spices, wheat, salt, milk and other essential commodities.

And in 1982, he signed up for manufacturing import substitute products and started particle boards.

Today, Partex has a presence in both manufacturing and service sectors, from boards, furniture, plastics, paper, cotton, yarn, jute, real estate, textile, shipping, agro, garments, aeromarine logistics to food and beverages.

And he also succeeded in popularising a number of Partex products, the drinking water brand Mum being one of them.

Hashem joined politics through BNP, one of the main political parties, before the 2001 general elections and was elected MP from Noakhali-2 constituency.

In December 2016, he resigned from politics saying that it was hindering his social activities.

Partex said the heights reached by the group have been possible due to Hashem's market-friendly corporate strategy, coupled with a modern management set-up optimised on the initiative and imagination of the personnel.

"Hashem envisioned the future of Partex and led the corporate world to it, in a legacy that spanned over six decades," said a press release from Rubel Aziz, his son.