In Bangladesh’s industrial sphere, Samson H Chowdhury is regarded as a man of rare distinction. For him, business was not just about profit—it was a means to contribute to the development of the country, society, and the nation. He was remembered for his honesty, ethics, and values, as well as his profound patriotism. Speakers shared these reflections at an event marking the birth centenary of the late founder of Square Group, one of the country’s leading industrial conglomerates.
The event, titled “Celebrating the Birth Centenary of Samson H Chowdhury,” was held on Saturday (September 27) at the Samson H Chowdhury Centre of Dhaka Club in the capital. It was jointly organized by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) and The Daily Bonik Barta. The program began with remarks from MCCI President Kamran T Rahman and Bonik Barta’s Editor and Publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud. The event was moderated by MCCI’s former President Nihad Kabir. Speakers at the event highlighted various aspects of Samson H Chowdhury’s life, work, and legacy, describing him as a visionary who ushered in a new chapter in Bangladesh’s industrial history.
Referring to his principles and values, BNP National Standing Committee Member and former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Samson H Chowdhury does not need recognition; rather, we benefit by recognizing him. The standards he set are something we must reflect upon deeply in today’s context. The example he left of achieving success while upholding ethics and principles in business—the benchmark he set—is a lesson for everyone. Especially in our culture, where the perception exists that business requires patronage, he left behind a unique example. Through his career, we must convey to the new generation the message that the future Bangladesh should be built on those values and ideals.”
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, noting his personal closeness to Samson H Chowdhury, added, “I spent many hours in conversation with him and had the opportunity to learn a great deal. I believe that to build the Bangladesh we dream of, we need more people like Samson H Chowdhury.”
In his opening remarks, MCCI President Kamran T Rahman said, “Samson H Chowdhury’s life was exemplary. During World War II, he joined the Royal Indian Navy. That experience shaped him into a disciplined and strong-willed individual. After the war, he settled in Ataikula, Pabna. In 1952, he began managing his father’s Hossain Pharmacy. Within a few years, he and his friends founded ‘Square,’ named as a symbol of excellence and quality. From that modest initiative, Square has grown into one of the country’s largest and most prestigious industrial enterprises. Square also received recognition for being the first exporter of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh. Samson H Chowdhury’s contributions were not limited to business; he was a social worker, philanthropist, and a man of principle. He believed business was not just for profit but a means to serve society. His contributions to healthcare, education, and social development were highly commendable. We are remembering not just a successful entrepreneur but his timeless values. Alongside honesty, ethics, and principles, his patriotism was extraordinary.”
At the event, a documentary on Samson H Chowdhury was screened, highlighting his struggles, successes, and contributions to society.
At the Dhaka Club yesterday, MCCI and The Daily Bonik Barta jointly celebrated the birth centenary of Square Group founder, the late Samson H Chowdhury, with a cake-cutting ceremony. On stage, cutting the cake from left to right: MCCI Director and former President Nihad Kabir, Samson H Chowdhury’s granddaughter Sanchia Chowdhury, grandson and Square Group Director Eric S Chowdhury, son and Managing Director of Square Pharma Tapan Chowdhury, MCCI President Kamran T Rahman, and Bonik Barta Editor and Publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud. Photo: Staff Photographer
At the event, Mahbubur Rahman, President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh, said, “I used to have discussions with him on various issues of ethics and business. He did not speak only about personal interests; he talked about how to advance the entire industry. After independence, a sense of responsibility to work for the country arose. I drew inspiration from him on this matter. Only now am I beginning to understand his contributions. In the industrial sector, he was a once-in-a-lifetime figure. Despite his involvement in industry, he never neglected social, familial, or national responsibilities. He was not just a friend; he treated people as close family.”
Recalling his memories, former Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Muhammad Abdul Mazid said, “When I was the Chairman of NBR, I had close contact with Samson H Chowdhury. He often visited my office. He engaged in deep discussions on the country’s economic development, trade policies, and revenue structure. He even tried to explain complex issues in simple terms. To understand customs and tariff complexities, he personally arranged to bring the HS Code omnibus from India at his own expense.”
Highlighting Samson Chowdhury’s honesty and integrity, the former NBR Chairman added, “In 2008, Square received a major government project. They obtained it by following all established rules. However, at that time, Samson H Chowdhury’s son Tapan Chowdhury was serving on the Advisory Council of the Caretaker Government. Samson voluntarily withdrew from the project and directly informed the Chief Adviser, ‘Since my son is part of the government, Square will not be involved in this project under any circumstances.’ This is an outstanding example of his ethics and honesty.”
Former MCCI Secretary CK Hyder said, “Once, I was accompanying Samson H Chowdhury to a World Trade Organization event. During transit, I noticed a boy shivering in thin clothes. Samson H Chowdhury asked him, ‘Where are you going? You haven’t worn anything inside; it’s cold.’ Then he took off his own sweater and gave it to the boy. I have been among many people, but I had never seen anyone help like that. I was deeply moved. I thought, if only my children could learn such humanity. I learned so much from being in his company.”
Syed Nasim Manzur, Managing Director of Apex Footwear, said, “If there is such a thing as a golden-hearted person, then Samson uncle is that person. At this event, the second and third generations of the Square Group are also present. Samson uncle demonstrated how a family business can be successfully passed down from generation to generation.”
Speaking about his family connection with Samson H Chowdhury, Nasim Manzur said, “I had the opportunity to observe and learn from him closely. Samson uncle and aunt had a very close relationship with my parents. My father used to joke that in various organizations, one would be Chairman and the other Vice chairman. That’s why they would address each other as ‘my vice’ (Vice Chairman). They worked together in many different organizations this way. They traveled a lot together and had a group where every trip was meticulously planned. They exchanged emails to organize everything—who would feed whom, who would bear which expenses, who would do what—all planned in advance. My parents and all the uncles and aunts went on these trips. We were not included. After returning home, they would analyze everything again. He liked to involve the family, friends, and everyone in such activities.”
At the event, Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, said, “My association with Samson Chowdhury began during the founding of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). He strongly supported that initiative. He was an extraordinarily generous, tolerant, and socially conscious person. His compassion for the underprivileged always inspired me and deepened my respect for him. He was a ‘symbol of an honest businessman’—an entrepreneur representing integrity and ethics.”
Mahfuz Anam added, “In our society, the conventional notion is that to succeed in business, one must bend the rules a little. But Samson H Chowdhury left a completely opposite example. To truly honor him, one must embrace the path of values, ethics, and integrity.”
Samson H Chowdhury’s granddaughter, Sanchia Chowdhury, recalled, “I have never seen a personality like my grandfather. In 2003, when Square Fashion started, he insisted on installing an ETP plant in the garments sector. We were probably the first. Many laughed at the time. Garments ETP! How will the cost and maintenance be covered? Grandpa said, ‘This is necessary. The return will come.’ In 2009, we received an award from the Department of Environment. I went to receive it because he told me to. I felt that if Grandpa had gone, he would have received it himself. He had seen the dream. Now everyone is implementing ETP, but he envisioned it 20 years earlier by saying, ‘This is necessary.’”
Referring to his last trip with his grandfather, she said, “He loved traveling in his personal life. I last traveled with him to the U.S. in 2010. Uncle Tapan Chowdhury, my father, and cousins were with us. Before the trip, we asked, ‘Grandpa, will you take such a long journey with your health?’ He replied, ‘Why not? This may be my last trip.’ During that trip, he met many old friends. When we went to Hawaii, he told me, ‘Grandchild, you should see the Polynesian Cultural Center with your siblings.’ I asked, ‘What’s to see at the cultural center?’ He said, ‘Go—there’s a lot for you to learn.’ And indeed, we learned a lot. He loved watching new movies and would get excited like a child when he received a gadget.”
At the event, Samson H Chowdhury’s son and Managing Director of Square Pharmaceuticals, Tapan Chowdhury, shared memories of his father. He said, “I went to the Metropolitan Chamber at my father’s suggestion, though I wasn’t very eager. He said, ‘Go, you will learn a lot. The chambers are very old. The people you meet there have been working for a long time.’ Through that visit, I met people like CK Hyder. That was my introduction to business. Of course, I had already learned from my father and uncles, but there I gained practical experience through them as well.”
Tapan Chowdhury also noted how easily Samson H Chowdhury made everyone feel welcomed, “Father lived a very disciplined life. Wherever he went, he took mother along. Towards the end, mother would say, ‘You’re too old, your body can’t manage.’ Father would say, ‘No, we must go.’ That’s how he valued family. Father, uncles, mother, and aunts treated each other like siblings. Everything we have achieved so far, we learned from them. They taught us business, how to be human, and instilled humanitarian values.”
The event began with a musical performance by Kamrul Ahmed and his team, followed by Lalon songs performed by Doli Mondal and her group. The closing remarks were delivered by Habibullah N Karim, Senior Vice President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
Other attendees at the centenary celebration included distinguished fellows at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya and Mostafizur Rahman, CPD Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun; AK Azad, Managing Director of Ha-Meem Group; Mostafa Kamal, Chairman and Managing Director of Meghna Group of Industries (MGI); Abdul Hai Sarker, Chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) and Dhaka Bank; Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL; ASM Mainuddin Monem, Managing Director of Abdul Monem Ltd.; Simeen Rahman, CEO of Transcom Group; Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh and former president of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Syed Tareque Md Ali and Ardashir Kabir, Directors of MCCI; Mohammad Alamgir Kabir, Vice Chairman of MI Cement Factory Limited (Crown Cement); Alamgir Morshed, Executive Director and CEO of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL); KSM Mostafizur Rahman, Managing Director of National AgriCare Group; Syed Abu Naser Bukhtear Ahmed, Chairman of Agrani Bank; Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, Chairman of Basic Bank Limited; Anis A Khan, former Chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB); Altaf Hossain Bhuiyan, Managing Director of SBAC Bank PLC; Mamunur Rashid Molla, Managing Director of Phoenix Finance and Investment Ltd.; Md Imam Shaheen, Managing Director and CEO of Asia Insurance Ltd.; Eric S Chowdhury, grandson of Samson H Chowdhury and Director of Square Group; Shameem Hussain, president of Dhaka Club; Mohammad Shamsul Islam, Managing Director of National Housing Finance and Investments PLC; Salahuddin Kasem Khan, former Managing Director of A.K. Khan & Company Ltd.; Mamun Rashid, president of ShopUp; Md Safiul Azam, Managing Director of Modhumoti Bank; Md Abdur Razzaq, Managing Direcftor of JMI Group; Md Rafat Ullah Khan, Managing Director (current) of Al-Arafah Islami Bank; Mohammed Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, Managing Director of LankaBangla Capital Market Operations; Mahbubul Anam, Managing Director of Expo Group; Ashraf Ahmed, former president of Dhaka Chamber; ASM Shahidullah Khan, chairman of New Age Editorial Board; Altamash Kabir, Editor of Sangbad, along with business leaders, economists, senior officials of Square Group, and Managing Directors of various banks.
The event concluded with the family and distinguished attendees collectively lighting a symbolic centenary lamp and cutting a cake to mark the celebration.