Square Pharmaceuticals Limited has been selected for the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award in the large industrial category.
The company won the first place in the large industrial category of this award having been introduced in the sector for the first time. The Ministry of Industries has recently issued a notification finalizing the list of 23 companies in seven categories for the award.
In 2019, the government formulated the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award policy. The policy was approved by the Cabinet Committee on National Awards on July 1 of that year. It was decided to recognize the contribution of the industrial sector to encourage the creativity of industrial entrepreneurs and organizations.
Eventually, the award was introduced in the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In 1982, the country's first comprehensive national drug policy was formulated. These policies created opportunities for the development of individual enterprises in the industrial sector of medicines and local entrepreneurs had a successful role in formulating and implementing this policy.
Samson H Chowdhury was among those who had played a leading role in this regard. Square Pharmaceuticals Limited started its journey under his leadership in 1958. Samson H Chowdhury founded the company along with with some of his friends. This small initiative of the time has turned into a big organization today. The company employs more than 28 thousand people at the moment.
Apart from Bangladesh, Square has also set up a pharmaceutical factory in the African country of Kenya. The annual turnover of the listed company is more than Tk 5,000 crore.
Tapan Chowdhury, managing director of Square Pharmaceuticals, said that the recognition is certainly inspiring. This recognition will give the company the desire to go much further.
He said that the credit for this success goes to all the staff and the shareholders. Through the combined efforts of everyone, the organization has been able to create its position today.
According to the circular issued on June 27, three more companies are being recognized in the large industrial category of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award 2020 besides Square Pharmaceuticals.
Jaj Bhuiyan Textile Mills Ltd is in the second position after Square. In the third position, two companies are tied; one being Adury Apparels Ltd, a partner of Thermax Group in the field of garments and the other company is Universal Limited, a subsidiary of Pacific Jeans.
Four companies have also been recognized in the medium industry category. In the first position, Auko-Tex Limited in the textile and readymade garments sector and Fortune Shoes Limited in the footwear sector are tied.
Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd in the renewable energy sector claims the second position in that category. In the third position is Madhobdi Dyeing Finishing Mills Ltd. in the textile sector.
Three organizations have been recognized in the small industry category. Aman Plastic Industries in the plastic sector is in the first position among them. SR Handicrafts in the handicraft sector is in the second position and Alim Industries Limited in the agricultural sector is in the third position.
In the micro industry category, MS Karukola is in the first position and Trim Tex Bangladesh is in the second position. In the third position is Janata Engineering.
Service Engine Limited has taken the first position in the high-tech industry category. In the second position is Super Star Electronics Limited. The third largest company is Mir Telecom Limited.
The first place in the category of handicrafts and crafts is claimed by Classical Handmade Products BD. ‘Ayojon’ takes the second spot. The third ranked organization is ‘Sonargaon Nakshi Kantha Mahila Unnayan Organisation’.
Comilla Arts and Crafts ranked the first position in the cottage industry category. The second largest organization is Rongmela Nari Kollyan Sangstha (RNKS). The company in third position is Agraj.
According to the policy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award, one of the objectives of the award is to encourage the private sector to accelerate the development of industrialization in Bangladesh with a view to implementing the government's vision 2021 and 2041.
In addition to setting up industries in the private sector, creating employment and encouraging investment, the purpose of the award is to diversify products, promote the production and creativity of imported alternative products and to produce technology based products as per the demand of national and international markets.
Other goals and objectives mentioned in the policy are to encourage entrepreneurs in market management, export growth and overall quality management; establishing environment-friendly industries; encourage the display of unique and distinctive features in the design and presentation of factory-produced products.
Further goals include encouraging entrepreneurs to enhance the aesthetic, artistic, decorative, practical, traditional and usefulness of the products produced in the industry. According to the Ministry of Industries, the first prize will be a crest made of 18 carat 25 grams gold, a certificate and a cash prize of Tk 3 lakh.
The second prize winner will get a crest made of 18 carat gold weighing 20 grams, a certificate and a cash prize of Tk 2 lakh. The third prize will be a crest made of 18 carat gold weighing 15 grams, a certificate and Tk 1 lakh in cash.
