Dhaka: Syed Manzur Elahi, the prominent businessman and chairman of Apex Group, was laid to eternal rest at the Banani graveyard next to the grave of his wife, Niloufer Manzur. He was buried at around 4:30 pm following his passing at a hospital in Singapore at 83.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Elahi breathed his last about 7:30 am on Wednesday while undergoing treatment. Earlier in the day, the first Namaz-e-Janaza was held on the premises of East West University at 10:30 am. Following the Janaza, his body was taken to the headquarters of Mutual Trust Bank PLC, where employees of the bank and Apex Group paid their respects and bid him farewell.
Elahi’s body was later brought to Dhaka on a Singapore Airlines flight, arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 10:20 pm. He was taken to his residence at around 11:30 pm on Wednesday.
Syed Manzur Elahi was a leading figure in Bangladesh’s business sector, recognized for his contributions with awards such as the “Business Executive of the Year 2000” by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), Bangladesh, and the “Business Person of the Year 2002” award. He also served as an Adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh twice, in 1996 and 2001.
Elahi graduated from St Xavier’s College and completed his bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Dhaka. He began his career with the multinational company, Pakistan Tobacco, and later established Apex Tannery following Bangladesh’s independence. His entrepreneurial journey expanded internationally with the founding of Apex Footwear, which became a pioneering company in Bangladesh’s shoe export industry.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Elahi was instrumental in pioneering shoe exports from Bangladesh to Europe and partnered with Italian footwear businessman Adelchi to strengthen his global market presence.
Elahi’s ancestral roots trace back to Bainan village in Howrah district, West Bengal. His father, Sir Syed Nasim Ali, served as the Chief Justice of undivided Bengal in Calcutta, and his eldest brother, Justice S A Masud, was Chief Justice at the Calcutta High Court, honored with the “Padma Bhushan Award” and “Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War” recognition. His brothers, Syed A Moudud and Syed Manzur Elahi, moved to East Pakistan, while Syed A Mansur settled in West Bengal.