UKBCCI Business and Entrepreneur Excellence Award-2017 held in London

UKBCCI Business and Entrepreneur Excellence Awards-2017 were held in London in a festive tone. The venue of the gala ceremony being held for the second time this year was the same as the previous year The London Hilton on Park Lane. As recognition of success, awards were given to the British Bangladeshi Business Entrepreneurs for their individual excellence in 12 different categories.
UKBCCI President Bajloor Rashid, MBE made the welcome speech on the occasion that was anchored by BBC journalist and presenter Jenny Bond. In his speech Bajloor called this award giving ceremony as a bridge and communication media between the business communities of the United Kingdom and Bangladesh and said, we have written our success story in the catering sector of British economy, but our success in the other sectors are mostly kept ignored and unrecognized even though they bear the mark of talent and excellence. To uphold and recognize these talents at an international scale is actually the drive behind this initiative, he added.
Chairman of UKBCCI Iqbal Ahmed, OBE, DBE said, we are committed to build up a bridge between Bangladesh and the UK besides creating opportunities for the community, especially the new generation. He also urged for the transfer of Visa center from Delhi to Dhaka and said, statistics show that percentage of visa approval has reduced by 70 percent over this period. This is great loss not only to the visa applicants but also to the growth of British economy. George Freeman, Chair of the Policy Board of the British Government as Chief Guest on the occasion said, we need more and more businessmen for the expansion of our economy and there is no alternative for the entrepreneurs. Mentioning the post-Brexit policy of the government he said, it is seriously considering the opinion of the 52 percent voters that opined on getting out of the European Community. Naturally, the British government is always keen on developing and maintaining a healthy relation with Bangladesh, he added.
Businessmen and entrepreneurs were given awards in 12 different categories this year. Chairman and CEO of Transcom Group Latifur Rahman was honored with the UKBCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution in the industry. As a Bangladeshi, I feel proud looking at the success of my fellow countrymen in the UK. He cited Bangladesh as a foreign investment friendly country and called upon the young entrepreneurs of Britain to engage in deeper collaboration with the Bangladeshi business community.
In addition, UKBCCI Special Recognition Award was conferred to first Bangladeshi born British MP Rushnara Ali and Directors’ Choice Award to Muai Thai Kick Boxing Champion Ruqsana Begum, besides other recognitions including Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Inspirational Business Leader of the Year.
The guest list included among other Bangladeshi High Commissioner in Britain His Excellency Mohammad Najmul Kownyne, Bethnal and Bow MP Rushnara Ali MP, Ann Mein MP, Paul Sculli MP, Face Market CEO Dr. Joe Mundich, Lord Karan Billmoria, Chairman of Rangs Properties Rouf Chowdhury, BCA President Kamal Yakub and many others.