To his followers he was a hero, to his contemporaries he was a business icon and to young entrepreneurs, he was a guide. Even to the regulators, he was spotless.

“Samson H Chowdhury was undoubtedly one of the greatest businessmen in the country who has demonstrated entrepreneurship despite a modest start,” said Prof Rehman Sobhan, chairman of the Centre for Policy Dialogue.

“With sheer energy and entrepreneurship, he has established one of the largest conglomerates in the country. This enabled him to stand out.”

“He served as the chairman of Transparency International Bangladesh from 2004 to 2007. But it is not a convention that an eminent businessman will be invited to lead TIB. It was recognition for his acceptability,” Sobhan said.

At a memorial event for Samson Chowdhury at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka, Rehman urged businessmen, entrepreneurs and industrialists to take lessons from his life and build businesses without violating rules.

The event started with a minute of silence in honour of the iconic businessman, who died on January 5 from old-age complications at the age of 86.

International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICC-B), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) co-organised the event, “Samson H Chowdhury: The business legend of our time”.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith said Samson Chowdhury helped shape the countrys pharmaceuticals industry. “He started off in Pabna and brought his venture to Dhaka. He did not stop there. He took his company to the international stage. It was not easy to do all these in just one life,” Muhith said.

The minister said Samson Chowdhury was one of the 48 largest taxpayers in the country.

Barrister Rafiqul Haque, a lawyer, said most businessmen in the country have some sort of legal problems. “But Samson Chowdhury had never come to me for any legal problem.”

MCCI President Amjad Khan Chowdhury said he was a business icon, visionary leader and entrepreneur. “He made an enormous contribution to creating employment with high professionalism.”

Samson Chowdhury was the chairman of Square Group that generates more than Tk 6,000 crore in annual turnover and employs around 33,000 people.

“He had encouraged many to set up businesses and repress poverty and hunger,” said Khan, also the managing director and chief executive of Pran-RFL Group.

Syed Manzur Elahi, a former caretaker government adviser and chairman of Apex Adelchi Footwear Ltd, said he had never compromised on business ethics. “He had never earned money through short-cuts.”

Elahi urged the children of Samson Chowdhury to try hard to continue the successes of their father. “Your father has left very big shoes for you to fill.”

Latifur Rahman, former president of MCCI, said Samson Chowdhury has contributed tremendously to businesses. “He set standards of ethics and values.”

“We hear that many businessmen directly or indirectly compromise on ethics and standards in business, which ultimately damages society and financial institutions. But I have never heard he was involved in any financial scandal directly or indirectly.”

Rahman, who worked with the business legend in MCCI and ICC-B for years, said through Square Pharmaceuticals, Samson Chowdhury established business ethics and marketing practices.

“He had maintained high standards at Square, which came through hard work,” said Rahman, also the chairman and managing director of Transcom Group.

Prof Mohammad Farasuddin, former governor of the central bank, said Samson Chowdhury was not only a business icon, but also a champion in the corporate world. “He never fell short on ethics, honesty and transparency. As a former regulator, I can say he was spotless.”

FBCCI President AK Azad said: “A few days ago, Samson Chowdhury came to FBCCI regarding a licence issue of a herbal association. I told him that things would have been done, if he had just called me or sent someone else.”

“In response, he said if a farmer does not go to his fields, he cannot expect a good crop,” Azad said.

For him, Samson Chowdhury was an example of honesty, ideals and ethics in business.

“He was well-known for his good behaviour with his workers and farsightedness,” DCCI President Asif Ibrahim said. “He was never a loan defaulter and never used the stockmarket for the benefit of his companies.”

Mahbubur Rahman, president of ICC-B, said Samson Chowdhury always put peoples welfare at the centre of entrepreneurship.

“Throughout his career, he remained above controversy of any kind. It is difficult for businessmen in Bangladesh to be out of any controversy. It is also a rare example of a businessman being the chairman of TIB.”

Samson Chowdhury also did a lot of philanthropic work, both at his ancestral home in Pabna and in Dhaka, he added.

Anis Ud Dowla, chairman of ACI Group, said the man behind Square always believed that there is no short-cut to success. “His death is a personal as well as national loss.”

Salman F Rahman, vice chairman of Beximco Group, said Bangladesh meets 99 percent of its medicine requirement through domestic production and exports drugs to 84 countries. “This has been possible because of his hard-work and leadership.”

At the memorial, the ICC-B chief also read out messages from ICC and ICC World Chambers Federation.

“The reputation of Samson Chowdhury was indeed a great one within the entire ICC family. The unfailing support he provided in his capacity as vice-chairman of ICC Bangladesh all these years explains why this national committee has played such a prominent role in the region and beyond,” said Gerard Worms, chairman of ICC.

“A man with great vision and a true commitment to ICC such as his will be hard to find and will be sorrowfully missed.”

Rona Yircali, chair of ICC World Chambers Federation, said his contribution towards creating a dynamic and fruitful chamber network is greatly appreciated.

“His efforts have helped the World Chambers Federation fulfil its mission of strengthening chambers by reaching out and building relationships between them, to share experiences and best practices, as well as to address the current business issues affecting their local communities.”

Dennis Dilip Datta, a retired development and church activist, who had followed Samson Chowdhury like a shadow for 40 years, said: “I read out business news from newspapers to him in the last nine months up to his death. Despite being bed-ridden he always took care of the economy.”

CCCI Senior Vice President Mahbubul Alam said he was an institution.

Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, a lawyer; Annisul Huq and Mir Nasir Hossain, former presidents of FBCCI; Sheikh Kabir Hossain, president of Bangladesh Insurance Association; Fazlul Huq, former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association; Aftab ul Islam, president of AmCham Bangladesh; Mamun Rashid, a teacher of BRAC University, also spoke.

Tapan Chowdhury, son of Samson Chowdhury, thanked all for the tremendous support to his family. His other sons, Samuel S Chowdhury and Anjan Chowdhury, and only daughter Ratna Patra were also present.