Zainul Haque Sikder
Zainul Haque Sikder | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Assam, British India |
| Died | February 10, 2021 (aged 90) Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Sikder Group; chairman of National Bank Limited and other companies |
Zainul Haque Sikder (12 August 1930 – 10 February 2021) was a prominent entrepreneur from Bangladesh and the founder of Sikder Group. He held leadership positions as chairman of National Bank Limited, Sikder Real Estate Limited, Sikder Pharma, Monowara Sikder Medical College and Hospital, Z. H. Sikder Women's Medical College & Hospital, and Z. H. Sikder University of Science and Technology. His business portfolio also included ownership of the English-language newspaper Bangladesh Post, Power Pack Economic Zone, Power Pack Holdings, Power Pack Ports, and Sikder Insurance.
Early life
Sikder was born in Assam during the British colonial period in India and moved to East Bengal following the Partition of India.
Career
Launching his professional journey in the real estate sector, Sikder established the Sikder Group in the 1950s. He took part in the Bangladesh Liberation War. After Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in 1975, Sikder organized memorial prayers for him, an act that led to his imprisonment.
In 1992, he founded Z.H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital along with multiple educational institutions such as Abdur Razzak Secondary Girls School, Bangabandhu High School, Jarina Sikder Girls School and College, Monowara Sikder Girls High School, and Mokfor Uddin National Law College. Additionally, he created Mandy Dental College & Hospital.
In 2009, he became the owner of National Bank Limited. By 2018, the enterprises under Sikder Group had accumulated loans amounting to 20 billion taka from various banking institutions.
He also served as chairman of Koi Resorts, a company based in the United States that manages a luxury resort located in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Personal life
Following his tenure, his wife Monowara Sikder assumed the chairmanship of National Bank Limited. The couple had five sons and three daughters. Their son Ron Haque Sikder is the managing director of Sikder Group. In May 2020, Ron and Dipu Haque Sikder left Bangladesh amid accusations related to attempts at pressuring a bank official for a substantial loan. Another son, Rick Haque Sikder, holds a directorial role within Sikder Group. Their daughter Parveen Haque Sikder occupies a parliamentary seat reserved for women. Other family members involved in the business include Nick Haque Sikder; their remaining son is Momtazul Haque Sikder, while daughters Lisa Fatema Haque Sikder and Nasim Sikder are also part of the family.
Death
Sikder passed away on 10 February 2021 at Saudi German Hospital in Dubai due to complications arising from COVID-19. His burial took place near Gulshan-2 at Z.H. Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka.