Tribute to Enam Ahmed Chowdhury

Sir Frank Peters

Sir Frank Peters

It is with profound sadness I learned of the death of Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, former chairman of the Privatization Commission and retired secretary.

I first came to know the distinguished gentleman back in 2008 when I was the ‘face’ of His Royal Highness, HRH Prince Bandar Bin Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud and the internationally celebrated Bangladeshi business tycoon Dr. Prince Moosa bin Shamsher, who were keen to purchase the ailing Rupali Bank.

Throughout the elongated negotiations, Enam was firm, strong, precise, immensely co-operative, and an absolute gentleman. It was clear he had wanted what was in the best interests of Bangladesh at heart – we both did.

At that time there was very little interest shown by the Saudis to invest even a minute portion of its massive wealth in Bangladesh and certainly not at such a high Saudi Royal Family level. Enam prayed for the successful take-over in hope it would open the floodgates of Saudi investments and Bangladesh would prosper speedily.

There were four key interested parties bonded together by similar dreams, ambitions, hopes, and aspirations at the time: HRH Prince Bander Bin Mohammad Bin Abdulraman Al-Saud, Dr. Prince Moosa bin Shamsher, the irreplaceable patriot Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, and me.

Unfortunately, the wife of HRH Prince Bander, Princess Al Bandri bint Abdul Aziz Al-Saud (and sister to His Majesty King Abdullah) died and all negotiations came to an abrupt halt to enable 40 days of mourning to be observed.

Meanwhile an Interim Government came to power in Bangladesh and cancelled the sale of Rupali Bank to His Royal Highness and, noticeably, there hasn’t been a suitable buyer since.

Although Enam was no longer involved with the future of Rupali Bank, it came as a crushing blow to the visionary who saw the bigger picture and enormous potential in its sale to HRH Prince Bander, for the greater benefit of Bangladesh.

There is much talk in the media lately about rampant corruption at government level where such deals are concerned. I can categorically state that at no time did Enam Ahmed Chowdhury seek or even hint at receiving a ‘brown envelope’ directly or indirectly through a third party.

He was a visionary, a Bangladeshi patriot, a consummate gentleman of high principles, and as Dr. Prince Moosa Bin Shamsher, once described him to me:

“Enam Ahmed Chowdhury is truly a rare human being. Don’t expect to find many like him in Bangladesh.”

May Enam rest in peace with the hand of Allah firmly placed on his shoulder in cordial friendship and appreciation for all the good he performed.

<SirFrankPeters@gmail.com>