Sikder Group Chairman Zainul Haque Sikder passes away
Zainul Haque Sikder, chairman of Sikder Group of Companies, one of the country's largest businesses, passed away this afternoon in a hospital in Dubai, said a press release.
He was 91.
Sikder was suffering from heart complications and coronavirus infection, Syed Qamrul Islam, chief operating officer of Sikder Group, told The Daily Star over phone.
He was undergoing treatment at the Saudi-German Hospital in Dubai.
An entrepreneur after the country's independence, Sikder was born on August 12, 1930 in Assam before partition. He migrated to Bangladesh during partition.
"He was one of those who contributed greatly to the development and progress of Bangladesh," said the press release signed by Sikder Group COO & Director Qamrul.
He was a freedom fighter.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed condolences to the demise of Sikder, reports BSS.
The premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Besides, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, and Planning Minister MA Mannan mourned the demise of Zainul Haque Sikder.
Qamrul said they are trying to bring back Sikder's body by tomorrow evening.
Sikder established ventures in education, health, housing and tourism, banking, power, economic zone, port, aviation, infrastructure development, hotel and resort and trading.
Sikder Group also has business entities in Thailand, Singapore, Canada and the USA, according to the website of PowerPac Holdings Ltd., the electricity/power generation, infrastructure development (Ports, Economic Zone) wing of Sikder Group of Companies.
Sikder started his career in real estate and construction and subsequently diversified his business, said the website.
The group also has business entities in Thailand, Singapore, Canada and the USA.
The group employed about 20,000 people in the last seven decades.
Sikder was the chairman of National Bank Ltd.
He also headed the board of Sikder Real Estate Ltd, Sikder Pharma Monowara Sikder Medical College & Hospital, ZH Sikder Womens Medical College & Hospital (Pvt) Ltd, and was chairman of ZH Sikder University of Science and Technology.