Rokia Afzal Rahman (c. 1941 – 5 April 2023)[1] was a Bangladeshi banker and entrepreneur. She was the first woman bank manager in Bangladesh.[1] She served as one of advisers of the Caretaker government of Bangladesh in 2001.[2][3]
Career
Rahman worked in the banking sector until 1980. She then started an agro-business, R.R. Cold Storage Limited which was involved in importing and exporting of potatoes and storage of seeds and potatoes.[1] She then bought another agro-business company, Imaan Cold Storage Ltd.[1]
In 1994, Women Entrepreneurs Association (WEA) in Bangladesh was formed with 150 members and Rahman was the founding president.[4] In 1996, she founded Women in Small Enterprises (WISE) to promote the role of women in small enterprises and industries.[1]
Rahman served in the Latifur Rahman ministry from 15 July 2001 to 10 October 2001.[5]
Rahman was the chairman of the board of directors of the Asian University for Women Support Foundation in Bangladesh.[6] She was the founding president of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs[7][8] and the chairperson of MIDAS Financing Limited.[9]
Rahman was the chairperson of Mediaworld Limited, the holding company of The Daily Star.[8] She used to own shares in ABC Radio.[10]
Rahman was a board member in several organizations including BRAC, MIDAS, Manusher Jonno, BFF, MRDI, Smiling Sun, Health21.[11]
Death
Rahman died at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore on 5 April 2023, at the age of 82.[11] She had two sons and a daughter.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d e "A stalwart supporter of free media, women entrepreneurs". The Daily Star. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Opening of Epique Institute". The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "The Daily Star Roundtable". The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Metro open TT". The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Ex-caretaker govt adviser Rokia Afzal dies". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Cherie Blair calls for investing in women education". The Daily Star. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Tackling Graduate Unemployment: The Need For University-industry Cooperation". The Daily Star. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Rokia Afzal no more". The Daily Star. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "MIDAS Financing Limited". www.mfl.com.bd. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "Prominent businesswoman Rokeya Afzal no more". daily sun. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Former caretaker govt adviser Rokia Afzal Rahman passes away". Dhaka Tribune. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Rokia Afzal Rahman no more". Risingbd Online Bangla News Portal. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
This page was last edited on 21 September 2023, at 11:41