A Patriot Pioneering an Industry: In Conversation with Mr. Golam Mainuddin
The agro-based industry of Bangladesh has seen a tremendous growth in the last few decades and currently accounts for about 20 percent of country's GDP. On top of helping Bangladesh reach self-sufficiency in food in the recent years, this industry makes up around one third of our total export value. While the public sector should be lauded for the policies and strategies that led to this growth, it is the private sector that accelerated it the most with the introduction of technology, modernization, and research in this industry.
Golam Main Uddin, the chairman of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), is one of the pioneers of the agro-based industry in` Bangladesh. In the final episode of the first season of Preronar Kotha, a thought leadership platform, we talked to this veteran corporate personality about his illustrious professional life of over 38 years; the challenges he faced working in MNCs all these years and how he overcame them; his faith in the country and its people; his management approach; and the future of agro based industries in Bangladesh.
He started his career in 1969 as a tea garden manager in Duncan Brothers after graduating top of his class in Masters in Soil Science at University of Dhaka. Besides the challenges of working in an organization in war-ravaged country, there were additional challenges of promoting Bangladeshis in an MNC with primarily non-Bangladeshi employees and management.
In 1982, he joined another multinational, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, then Bangladesh Tobacco Company. When he joined BATB, the production of the company was low. One of the key issues the management faced during that time was that of sustainability. As a result, tough decisions like closing one of the two factories of BATB had to be taken… "During modernization we noticed that the way Dhaka factory accepted the modernization, the Chittagong factory didn't. Which is why we had to come up with the decision that we'll close the Chittagong factory. So, we closed the Chittagong factory. It was a very tough decision."
One of the most remarkable achievements that Golam Main Uddin is always admired for is founding the afforestation project of BATB, which is presumably the largest private sector driven afforestation initiative of Bangladesh. BAT Bangladesh has received the prestigious Prime Minister's National Award for four times in the years 1993, 1999, 2002, 2005 and the Chief Advisor's Award in 2007. The program is designed to focus on the socio-economic needs of the communities as well as the overall environmental perspectives. The execution of the initiative came with unique challenges. Motivating the farmers and inspiring them to plant seedings was extremely challenging initially, but Main Uddin was able to motivate them by talking to them and explaining the benefits.
Main Uddin is optimistic about the future of agro-based industries in the country. He believes that with a good number of educated young people going into cow-rearing, aquaculture, and vegetable farming, the future of agriculture is in good hands. This is also reflected in the current agricultural production, which is much higher than what it was even 20 years ago.
Public private partnership was another topic that came up in the discussion. Main Uddin was the first person from BATB to join the business associations and has been part of important associations like MCCI, Bangladesh Employers' Federation, etc. As a veteran in business, he believes that while it is the duty of the Government to form policies and strategies, it is the private sector that must work on them. "If we want to drive the economy of a country, then the private sector needs to come forward. Moreover, private sector can play a vital role in economic growth." He mentioned the RMG sector of Bangladesh as an example of the wonders that private sector has achieved.
One very crucial point that came out during the discussion with Main Uddin is nation branding. A strong national brand reinforces a country to gain its competitive edge over its competitors, access new global financial markets, diversify products and grab investment opportunities offered by a foreign market through internationalization.
He shared an anecdote in this regard. "We went to Japan from Bangladesh Employers' Federation. The Chairman of Japan Employers' Federation was the Chairman of Toyota Motor Company. When we asked him to relocate their sunset industries to Bangladesh, he said "50% of the time your country is flooded. So, tell me how would we do business over there?" Then I said that I was working in a multinational company and the shipment of my company never stopped even for one day; so, what you are saying is a bit exaggeration." Later, he visited Bangladesh and stayed for two days. When he went back to Japan, he promoted Bangladesh as a good place for investment. Which is why, the Japanese are getting involved in many projects nowadays."
Finally, Main Uddin urged the youth of the country to start their life with a positive frame of mind and to believe in the country. He believes that enjoying one's job is the key to bringing in creativity into the job… "I strongly believe that enjoyment is a very important factor. Don't go back home with a sad face after office. Go back home with a smile and think about coming back to office the next day. I think we should encourage our next generation this way."
The interview was conducted by Dr. Melita Mehjabeen, Associate Professor, IBA, University of Dhaka as part of "Preronar Kotha", an initiative by Prerona Foundation.
You can watch the full interview at the You Tube channel of Prerona Foundation.
Comments