Speakers at a programme on Monday called upon all to follow national building codes properly to ensure fire safety issue to reduce fire related casualties across the country.
They also urged regulator bodies, inception department and local governments to play vital role here so that all people build safety establishments for the sake of future generation.
They made the remarks the interactive session on “Fire-Safe Glazing For Architecture” at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. Grasshopper Group and FG Glass jointly organized the event to launch Schott fire safety glazing in Bangladesh market.
As the chief guest, President of Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) Ar. Professor Dr. Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed said they witnessed many buildings collapsed and fire casualties like Rana Plaza, Tazreen Fashion, FR Tower, Nimtoli, and Chhurihatta incidents.
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“The incidents occured not maintaining building codes and other rules. Each regulator body failed to monitor the building and factories,” he also said.
Dr Sabbir urged all government regulator bodies, inception, and local government Departments to monitor buildings amply for the sake of next generation.
“Architects have great job here. Standarded factories and buildings should be priority considering future. Though, architects have to meet their clients demand for cost effective,’he pointed out.
Tariq Kachwala, Director of FG Glass gave welcome speech there while Helmut Kugelmann, Director Sales Fire Resistant and Security Glazing, SCHOTT presented keynote on glass and glass ceramics.
During panel discussion, Vice President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shahidullah Azim said they improved vastly fire safety measures in their garments industry after Rana plaza and Tazreen Fashion.
“Bangladesh boasts over 170 Leed-certified green RMG factories now which is the highest number in the world. Now we follow building codes,” he added
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He also added that the incidents of Tazreen and Rana plaza were turing point for the industry which made a revolution on fire safety issue.
Principal Architect, Shattoto Ar. Rafiq Azam said they have to consider about cost before constructing buildings asper clients demand. High product prices impact here.
Architect & Partner DWM4 Architects Mamnoon Murshed Chowdhury said they always try to aware people on fire safety issue and regulations as well.
Former Director (Operation and Maintenance) Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense Major (Retd.) A K M Shakil Newaz said he led many fire disasters like FR tower fire incidents which were inexpressible incidents.
“However, i urge all to follow national building codes and fire safety regulations to reduce all type of casualties,” he also said.
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MEP Consultant Engr. Md. Hasmotuzzaman requested everyone to be on same page and work together for the development of national building code by addressing all the errors of the codes. He said the code should be timely and considering the modern designs of infrastructures.
Prsident of Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) Zahir Uddin Babar said they were facing various problems in customs while they import the safety products.
“However, I request manufacturers to fix low prices maintaining products quality so that people are encouraged to use the products,” he also said.
He added that thier members are playing vital role to develop the sector. They meet 80 percent domestic demand through import.
Managing Director of Grasshopper Group Mahmudur Rashid said “We are very proud to join our hands with FG glass to provide sustainable and safe glazing solution for our industries and buildings” He also thanked FG Glass (India) for become interested to invest in Bangladesh.
PriyoShop has taken the Bangladesh flag to new heights by securing a Top 30 spot in Startup Wheel 2025, one of Asia’s most competitive startup competitions in Vietnam, competing against 2,144 startups from 28 countries. With this milestone, Bangladesh has established itself as a significant player in the global startup ecosystem through PriyoShop.
This achievement shows that Bangladesh is growing fast in the digital world and becoming a strong player in retail innovation. PriyoShop stood alongside top startups from countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Indonesia. After six months of tough evaluation, PriyoShop was chosen as one of the most promising international innovators sharing our mission, vision, and real stories about Bangladesh’s retail industry with the world.
Asikul Alam Khan, CEO of PriyoShop, expressed his enthusiasm about the recognition: “This is a significant success for the PriyoShop Team. We have impacted millions of retailers by simplifying the supply chain and empowering them with embedded credit. Through us, Bangladesh will always stand high on the global stage. This recognition provides access to create a global footprint and inspires young entrepreneurs to bring innovative ideas and create international standard startups.”
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As PriyoShop advances, the company remains committed to transforming Bangladesh’s retail landscape while inspiring the aspiring entrepreneurs across the region. The journey from local startup to consistent international recognition exemplifies the potential within Bangladesh’s growing retail sector and demonstrates how innovative solutions can have an impact both locally and globally.
In a recently held board meeting of Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited, a renowned listed insurance company in the country’s capital market, Bajloor Rashid MBE, was elected as Chairman and Mezanur Rahman as Vice Chairman. The formal election took place at the 203rd board meeting of the company held on Sunday, 29 June 2025, for the term 2025-2026.
Bajloor Rashid MBE, is a distinguished and successful businessman and social worker. He is also one of the founding shareholders of Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited. In the early 1980s, he established himself as an ambitious young entrepreneur in the growing catering industry. Notably, from 2006 to 2012, he served successfully as the President of the UK-based association of catering restaurant owners.
On the other hand, the newly elected Vice Chairman, Mezanur Rahman, is an established and successful businessman. He is a founding director and former Vice Chairman of Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited. He holds a degree in Architecture from Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. He is also actively involved with various humanitarian and social organizations.
Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited (PLICL) settled down insurance claims of approximately 40 (forty) crore taka in 2024 which has fortified clients’ confidence on the company. Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited entered 25th year on 6 January 2025. PLICL was founded on 6 January in the year 2000. Discussion programs, slicing a cake, offering dua and a colourful rally were organized to mark the company’s founding anniversary on Monday at PLICL corporate office in the capital.
The rally moved around different parts of Dhaka city and the officials of the company held a gathering in front of PLICL head office on Monday morning at 10:30 am.
PLICL Chairman (Acting) M Shoeb Chowdhury joined the 25th founding anniversary celebration virtually as the chief guest. M Shoeb Chowdhury said that the top management of Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited has been able to uphold the dream cherished by expatriate Bangladeshis whose contribution led to the establishment of the company. Shoeb Chowdhury laid emphasis on working with unity and solidarity for the company’s further advancement and to generate many more success stories.
PLICL Executive Committee Chairman Mezanur Rahman , Chairman of Audit Committee Dr. Md. Jamil Sharif, PhD, FCMA and former entrepreneur Prodeep Sen also attended the program. The event was presided over by the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Md. Saidul Amin. The 25th founding anniversary of Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited was celebrated in 32 districts and divisional offices across Bangladesh. Senior officials of the insurance company expressed hope and determination to transform PLICL into a top notch institution in days to come. The speakers at the program stated that Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited appointed 1200 development officers in 2024 and training courses have been initiated to upgrade their skills.
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PLICL Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Mohammad Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy, Senior DMD Shahjahan Azadi, Company Secretary Abdullah Al Mansur and Senior DMD Jaseem Uddin Prodhan addressed the program among other dignitaries.