ERF remembers founding president Moazzem Hossain

Economic reporters yesterday paid their deepest tributes to Financial Express Editor AHM Moazzem Hossain, who is considered the doyen in business journalism in Bangladesh.

Hossain died on Wednesday at the age of 73.

The Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) organised a remembrance ceremony to commemorate the legacy of Hossain, the founding president of the association, at its newly-built office in Naya Paltan in Dhaka.

“He was a very professional journalist with a strong commitment,” said Mahbubur Rahman, chairman of International Publications Ltd, which owns the newspaper.

He said Hossain played a pioneering role in setting up the country's first financial daily.

“Initially, we were reluctant but he was able to motivate us to invest in the newspaper,” said Rahman, also the president of the Inter-national Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh.

Hossain was able to pay dividends to the newspaper's shareholders for over a decade, he said.

Abul Kalam Azad, managing director of state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, said Hossain exemplified honest journalism.

ERF President Saif Islam Dilal chaired the discussion, which was moderated by Zakaria Kajal, a former president.

Hossain completed his graduation and post-graduation in economics in 1967 and 1968 respectively from the University of Dhaka. He started his career in journalism as a reporter for the defunct Observer.

He also worked for the New Nation, the United News of Bangladesh, the Dhaka Courier and The Daily Star.