Salman F Rahman: A Titan of Bangladeshi Business and Politics
Salman Fazlur Rahman is one of Bangladesh’s most influential business magnates and political figures. Best known as the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Beximco Group, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s private sector. Rahman also served as a Member of Parliament (Dhaka-1) and as Adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Private Industry and Investment.
| Full Name | Salman Fazlur Rahman |
| Date of Birth | May 23, 1951 |
| Place of Birth | Dohar Upazila, Dhaka District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) |
| Age | 73 Years (As of 2025) |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Education | Notre Dame College, University of Karachi (Economics) |
| Parents | Fazlur Rahman (Father) and Syeda Fatina Rahman (Mother) |
| Profession | Businessman, Politician |
| Known For | Co-founding Beximco Group |
| Key Business Role | Vice Chairman, BEXIMCO Group |
| Major Companies | Beximco Pharmaceuticals, AB Bank (co-founder), IFIC Bank |
| Net Worth (2017) | Estimated $1.3–$2 billion (Hurun Global Ranking: 1685th) |
| Spouse | Syeda Rubaba Rahman |
| Children | Ahmed Shayan Fazlur Rahman |
| Political Affiliation | Bangladesh Awami League |
| Constituency | Dhaka-1 (Dohar and Nawabganj Upazilas) |
| Parliamentary Term | 2019–2024 |
| Advisory Role | Adviser to PM Sheikh Hasina on Industry and Investment (2019–2024) |
| Awards & Honors | Daily Star Business Award (2005), Global Leadership Award (2013) |
| Controversies | Loan defaults, stock fraud, currently incarcerated (as of April 2025) |
| Philanthropy | Beximco Foundation, COVID-19 relief, education, and disability support |
Early Life and Education
Born into a politically active family on May 23, 1951, Rahman’s father was a state minister during the Pakistan era. He completed his HSC at Notre Dame College, briefly studied at the University of Dhaka, and earned a degree in economics from the University of Karachi.
Business Career
1966: Took over family’s jute business with brother Sohail Fasihur Rahman.
1972: Founded BEXIMCO Group, initially focused on export-import.
1976: Launched Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd., first Bangladeshi company listed on AIM (London).
Diversified into textiles, ceramics, real estate, media, telecom, and IT.
2021: Issued Bangladesh’s largest corporate Sukuk bond (BDT 3,000 crore).
Owned Independent Television and the now-defunct The Independent newspaper.
Co-founded AB Bank in 1982, later acquired IFIC Bank (served as chairman 2010–2016).
Company Profile
| Name | Beximco Group |
| Industry | Conglomerate |
| Founded in | 1972; 46 years ago |
| Headquarter | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Website | www.beximco.com |
Political Career
1990s: Founded Samriddhya Bangladesh Andolan; joined Awami League.
2001: First contested Dhaka-1 seat; won in 2018 with 304,797 votes (86.5%).
2024: Re-elected with 149,971 votes.
Adviser to PM since 2009, upgraded to cabinet-level (non-financial) status in 2019.
Led international investment roadshows and improved Ease of Doing Business rankings.
Philanthropy and Social Work
Chairs Beximco Foundation, focusing on:
Scholarships and education access
Healthcare and disaster relief
Disability support via Proyash
Major contributions during COVID-19: PPE donations, oxygen supplies, medical aid.
Controversies and Legal Issues
1996: Accused in stock market fraud; case quashed in 2015.
2007: Detained during caretaker government rule; listed as top loan defaulter by US cables.
2018: Cleared of financial misconduct under AL-led government.
2025: Currently incarcerated for allegedly instigating violence during Student-People’s uprising.
Bangladesh attained independence in 1971 and when they asked for international aid, Henry Kissinger said that the “the place is, and will always be, a basket case.” From that moment to being one of the finest development stories of the current era, Bangladesh has come a long way. The country’s exports and local industries are functioning at constantly improving capacities and they are accelerating on the road to development. The biggest share of credit for their current economic strength goes to the first Business family of Bangladesh: Rahmans.
Salman F Rahman (সালমান এফ রহমান) along with his brother Sohail envisioned a dream of making Bangladesh great. Capitalizing on their business minds, they started out with their family jute mill in 1966. From then to independence, the brothers bought the debt affected setup to a point where it generated profitable revenue. However, nationalization of jute industry in 1971 sealed their mill. The successive year marked the beginning of Beximco.
Salman F Rahman started the company as a seafood exporter. At the same time, pharmaceuticals were named as a priority item throughout the country. Rahman prioritized the country’s needs over his profits and imported pharmaceuticals worth the cost of his export earnings.
The dynamic Bangladeshi businessman was able to contribute, and continue it for the next half decade, to the country’s requirements. However, this constant import was not a solution and thus, he incorporated Beximco Pharmaceuticals in 1976.
The objective was to streamline the local demands of Bangladesh and then, foray into the export market. Gradually, he developed a company with skilled individuals, advanced machinery, and constantly evolving research department to enhance their stand in the industry. As the operations began in 1980, the company was listed on Dhaka Stock Exchange in 1985 and two decades later, it was featured on the London Stock Exchange.
From 1980 to 2005-06, Beximco Group expanded themselves into almost every premier industry of any developed country. Textiles, ceramics, energy, real estate, and many other sectors had running contributions from a fully functioning arm of Beximco. With Salman F Rahman’s vision and determination, the company started to impact the country’s GDP in no time.
Read more biographies and success stories of business leaders, celebrities, healthcare professionals etc. at Leader Biography.
