Triumphing in man's world

Rubana Huq is praised for steering one of the most successful apparel companies in Bangladesh: Mohammadi Group.

At the 15th Bangladesh Business Awards ceremony, her name played out as an inspiration for women in the corporate world largely dominated by men. So this year, she has been feted for excelling in her professional life both as a leader and a role model.

The pioneering garment maker, Mohammadi Group, began its journey with only one factory in Khilkhet, Dhaka, with 500 workers in 1985.

It now owns eight factories employing 9,000 workers. It exported goods worth $70 million last fiscal year with 15 percent year-on-year growth.

Rubana joined the company as a junior officer in 1995, and it was her dedication and hard work that elevated her to the position of managing director in 1998.

In the beginning, three friends had joined

hands to set up the company that exported only $5 million a year between 1985 and 1995. Later, two of them sold their shares to her husband Annisul Huq, chairman and chief executive of Mohammadi Group.

Rubana Huq

Going from strength to strength, Rubana showed her managerial and entrepreneurial calibre to take the company to a new height.

A trailblazer, Rubana is setting up a new factory at Bangla Bazar in Gazipur where 600 workers will have accommodations and will be given the ownership of the dorms after six years of their stay in exchange for a monthly instalment.

Bangladesh Bank is helping the project with Tk 20 crore in loans at 2 percent interest.

Work on the new factory is expected to begin in October. “We will employ 1,000 more workers to produce woven garments,” Rubana said.

The factory will have green building certification or LEED that stands for leadership in energy and environmental design.

The group has reached its current status without any major loan from banks, as profits were reinvested to expand its footprint.

Rubana credited the garment company's success to the female workforce that works relentlessly to churn out products to the global buyers' satisfaction. "So, all entrepreneurs should invest in developing human resources. Our entrepreneurs also need to take a hard look at the people working in the factories."

In her career of 19 years, Rubana has not only expanded the garment segment, but also diversified to other sectors such as real estate, software and power plant. The group distributes Indian STAR television programmes in Bangladesh.

“I mainly manage the garment business and I am not involved much in the management of the other companies within the group.”

She said she always incentivises good performers to encourage them. “I hold regular talks with officials and workers. Such interaction between top management and workers bridges the gap in communication and results in higher efficiency.”

On future expansion plans, Rubana said the group will invest in media on a large scale as prospects are bright.

The group will launch a private television channel called 'Nagarik' next March. Its office is now being readied for operation, she added.

In the next few years, the group plans to expand the garment business by at least 30 percent and grow its agro business in organic products.

“Just increasing the number of units is not my objective. My main target is sustainability. I want my company to grow at international standards so nobody can question compliance or the quality of products.”

Swedish retail giant H&M is the group's main buyer, taking 60 percent of its products. Mohammadi Group also supplies garment items to many other renowned retailers and brands worldwide.

“Credibility is a big asset. My workers are hard-working and I personally visit them and listen to their problems on the floor and try to solve their problems,” she said.

Mohammadi Group currently runs two primary schools for the children of the garment workers. It plans to open similar schools in all its garment factories in the future.

In her 19 years as an entrepreneur, Rubana has worn more than one hat. She was among BBC's 100 outstanding women in 2013 and 2014. The Bangladeshi entrepreneur also writes extensively and is a philanthropist.

Rubana dreamt of becoming a university professor when she was young. “I did not give up on my dreams. I've recently completed my post-graduation in English from a private university.”

She now eagerly awaits completion of her PhD from Jadavpur University in India to join the teaching profession as well.

“People must not give up on their dreams, even in the face of challenges. We must always pursue our dreams to grow.”