Dhaka, Jan 5 (UNB) – Country’s leading businessman and chairman of renowned conglomerate Square Group Samson H Chowdhury died at a hospital in Singapore on Thursday at 10:15 am (Bangladesh time). He was 86.

He left behind his wife Anita Chowdhury, three sons, five grandchildren and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

A senior official of Square Hospital said the body of Samson H Chowdhury, who died at Raffles Hospital in Singapore, will be brought here tomorrow (Friday) at 4 am. 

The eminent businessman, who won the ‘Best Entrepreneur of the Country for the year 2000 -2001’ award, was undergoing treatment for old age complications at the Singapore hospital.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Planning Minister AK Khandker, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman expressed deep shock at the demise of Samson Chowdhury and prayed for his departed soul.

Transparency International Bangladesh(TIB), leaders of different business bodies, including the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), also condoled his death and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.

Square Group and Maasranga TV, which is also owned by Square Group, have prayed for peace of Samson Chowdhury.

Samson Chowdhury was one of the founder trustees of Transparency International Bangladesh. He also held a number of key positions in local and international business bodies.

He led an exemplary life of hard work, dedication and honesty, and built up the Square Group as one of the largest business conglomerates of Bangladesh.

He was the President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in 1996-1997.

Samson Chowdhury was also a director of FBCCI and was awarded the `Business Executive of the Year’ by American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh in 1998. 

He was born on 25 February 1926 in Faridpur district. After completing education in India, he returned to the then East Pakistan and settled at Ataikula village in Pabna district where his father, late EH Chowdhury, was working as a Medical Officer in an outdoor dispensary.

In 1952, he started a small pharmacy in Ataikula village, about 160 kilometres off the capital, in the north-western part of Bangladesh.

Samson Chowdhury then ventured into a partnership pharmaceutical company with three of his friends in 1958. He named it Square Pharmaceuticals as it was started by four friends.