Desh Foundation UK organised the second British Bangladeshi Business Awards on 14th May 2017 at the new Bingley hall Birmingham. The biennial event has become one of the primary award ceremonies in the calendar of British Bangladeshi community throughout the UK. The preparation for the event was going for last six months with the official Press Launch held in London in February 2017 and subsequent road shows in Birmingham, Luton, Northampton, Swansea and Sylhet (Bangladesh).

The event was attended by more than 800 guests including eminent personalities from both the UK and Bangladesh. The VIP guests including Honourable minister of state of foreign affairs for the Government of Bangladesh Shahriar Alam , his Excellency the high commissioner of the Bangladesh to UK Mohammed Nazmul Quannine, Lord Mayor of Birmingham Carl Rice, Mayor of Walsall Councillor Kath Phillips, Mayor of Brent Councillor Pervez Ahmed, Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Julie Webb, Council leader of Sandwell Councillor Steve Elling and fellow councillors, Mayor of Luton Councillors Tahir Khan , CEO of ATN Bangle Mr. Hafiz Ahmed Baksh, Asst high commissioner of Bangladesh Zulfiqar Nair, Chairman of Channel S Ahmed Us Samad Choudhury, Md. Abdul Karim (Ex Principal Secretary of Government of Bangladesh), Rt. Hon. Alan Meale MP , Rt. Hon. Adrian Bailey MP, Shabana Mahmood MP, Hon James Carver MEP, and other dignitaries.

The Prime Minister of the UK was represented by Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt MP, former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who in his speech acknowledged the sincere efforts and commitment of the British Bangladeshi Diaspora towards both the UK and Bangladesh.

There were awards presented in 23 categories including two special awards. The category of awards and their recipients were as follows: Professional Services Award – Nasir Ali Shah (Mohammed Shah and Co); NRB Investor of the year – Syed Akamot Ali Rubel (Dhaka Premier Hotel); Personality of the year – Syedur Rahman; The New Business of the Year – Al din Skincare ; The Best Restaurant of the year – The original Dilraj; The Innovation Award – Sheikh Aliur Rahman (London Tea Exchange); Best Bangladeshi Takeaway of the year – Shabna Tandoori; Excellence in Catering Services – Karim Miah(Shamim);Special Achievement in Entrepreneurship – Harun Miah (Kushiara Group) ; Social Enterprise of the Year – Just Help Foundation (Mizanur Rahman Mizan); Real Estate investor of the year – Al-Falah Group; Financial Services Award – Alif and Co; Excellence in community services – Zakir Khan (Canary Wharf Group); Catering supplier of the year (Food) – Pride of Asia; Emerging Industrialist of the year – M Zakir Hussain (ZHK Plastics); Best Entrepreneur (Female) – Shermeena Rabbi (Unlocking Languages Limited); Restaurateur of the year – Dulal Ahmed; Outstanding Contribution to Media- Reza Ahmed Faisol Choudhury Shoaib; Prominent Business leader of the year – Abdus Salam; Outstanding contribution to the legal sector – Taj Uddin Shah (Taj Solicitors); Best Entrepreneur (Male) – Iftekar Rahman (Abbey Mews) ; Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Mohammed Nurul Alam ; NRB Icon of the year – Mohammed Mahtabur Rahman (Nasir).

The Chairman of Desh Foundation UK Mr. Mishbaur Rahman in his welcome speech highlighted the contribution of British Bangladeshis’s in the British economy and expressed his commitment of providing platform to the entrepreneurs from the Bangladeshi community. He expressed his gratitude to all the guests attending and congratulated all the nominees and winners.

The event was co – hosted by well-known presenter Showmi Das and comedian/presenter Dave Clark. The lively entertainment was performed by the dance group Taal Toranga, Singer Shams Tamanna and the impersonation of UB40 by Ian. The performance was spectacular and was enjoyed by one and all.

There were multiple speeches made by the VIP’s in support of the efforts and contributions of the British Bangladeshi diaspora and their immense dedication to their field of work.

The Managing Director of British Bangladeshi Business Awards Mr. Ranju Miah gave his congratulatory speech in the end with a promise to make the event a regular fixture in British Bangladeshi calendar. The event was followed by a raffle draw in partnership with Eid Smiles to promote their charitable causes.