Chief Advisor's Speech
Speech
A survivor of many years of turbulence, The Dhaka Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd.'s success is a rich testimony of the vision, dedication and uncompromising commitment to provide superior and competitive products and services. We take pride is our honesty, accomplishment, ideology and future aspiration.
The Dhaka Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd. was registered in 1973, remained dormant till I took over in 2002. In the line of handing over to the next qualified generation, my only child, Shihan Abrar Chowdhury, took over last year and managed fairly well with 1.5 bonuses in addition to 2 festival ones. The yearly profit crossed our expectation, subject to audit by department of co-operatives and AGM, 40% cash bonus against shares will be declared.
Amongst advisors, my wonderful colleagues, some of whom are freedom fighters have managed well with 94 branches, getting acclimatized with a totally new dimension of mathematics.
In the coming years, we plan to invest in agriculture sector, which will be our primary sector of investment. Farmers are the backbone of the national economy and with micro investment , we plan inject more cash flow amongst them with lower lending rate in coming days, thus wiping out loan sharks in the rural areas of Bangladesh.
Approximately 1600 officers and Staffs of the organization continued with the tradition of providing quality services through innovative methods.
Our banks future looks brighter especially because of the devotion and dedication of these young people, with their dedication, I plan to take our area of operations beyond border. In 2002, I said, "we here to wipe out the notion that co-operative is bad" and we are saying it now.
As moderately experts in microfinance, we are committed to develop the financial literacy of young officer's/clients through training/experiences and hands-on programs purposefully designed to enable them to prosper and inspire others to follow. The future of economic emancipation of this country primarily depends on the success of micro credit operations with better understanding at all level inch at the hierarchy of the society.
I want to close my statement with hope that next year brings better and brighter things in all
"Oh! God, Please give me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, Courage to change what I can and the wisdom to understand the difference between the two."
Abu Zafar Chowdhury GP. Capt. (Rtd.)Chief Advisor
The Dhaka Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd.
Short Profile
Short Profile:
Father’s Name: Late Ali Ahmmad Chowdhury
Mother’s Name: Late Shamsun Nahar
Date of Birth: 08-02-1953
Date of Commission: 12-7-1975
Present Address: House-15/B, Road-2, Cantonment Residential Area,Dhaka.
Date of retirement: 20-2-2000
Service Record
Service Record:
- Fought in the war of liberation in No 1 sector under, the then Maj Ziaur Rahman as Sector Commander
- Joined BAF in 1972 in the first GD(Pilot) batch
- Successfully completed 3 years of training in, the then, USSR with all 'A's in 38 subjects incl Diploma as Interpreter in Russian-English languages
- Flew in CHTas Operational Helicopter pilot in counter insurgency operation till 1980
- First helicopter pilot to top and get Mofiz Trophy in the Flying Instructors' Course
- Flew in BAF Academy as Flying Instructor from 1980-1991 with small break in between,when worked as staff officer in Air Hqs
- First helicopter pilot to be deputed to Iraqi Air Force to train future fighter pilot from 1983-1985
- Received first inter squadron Khademul Bashar flight safety trophy in 1987 and in the same year, I was First pilot in B.A.F to be cleared on instrument flying as examiner with MASTER GREEN rating.
- Attended Helicopter Gunship Course in Hawaii, Pressure Chamber Course in Turkey, Pakistan.
- Attended Junior Commanders' Course in India
- Detailed as test pilot to carry out acceptance flight of Jet a/c in France
- Qualified as instructor in Jungle and Sea Survival Courses
- Deputed to CAAB as director Zia International Airport from 1995-1997
- Qualified to hold Commercial/Air Transport Pilots' Licenses from Civil Aviation Authority Of Bangladesh (CAAB)
- Till date holds highest flying and instructional hours(7 stars) in BAF with out any attributable incident
- Commanded BAF Contingent, in joint services guard of honour from 1976-1980, in victory/independence day parade from 1987-1994(5 times)
- Life member of Flying Club, Golf Club, RAOWA Club.
- Member of Rotary Club of Dhaka New City, awarded with Paul Harris Award.
- Involved in various social activities in the village of P.S. Fatick Chari, Chittagong.
- Married have 1 Son, Now Chairman of the Dhaka Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd.
- Wife is the Managing Director.
- Self is the Chief Advisor (Took charge of the bank with 7 Branches, established 35 posh and profitable branches in my management period around Bangladesh Employed more than seven hundred employees by creating employment.
