Reputed businessperson and Chairman of Apex Group, Syed Manzur Elahi, has passed away at the age of 79. He breathed his last while undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Singapore today, Wednesday, at 9:31 AM local time (7:31 AM Bangladesh time).
Elahi had been suffering from various age-related complications, which led to his hospitalization. His son, Syed Nasim Manzur, confirmed the sad news to Prothom Alo from Singapore, adding that both he and his sister had been by their father’s side during his final moments.
“We were with him until the last moment,” Syed Nasim Manzur said, adding that efforts were being made to bring his father’s body back to Bangladesh today.
Syed Manzur Elahi was a pioneering figure in Bangladesh’s footwear industry. He left his job at a multinational company to start his own footwear business and became the first trader to export Bangladeshi shoes abroad. His company, Apex, became one of the leading footwear businesses in the country, with a significant presence in both local and international markets.
In 1972, Syed Manzur Elahi established Manzur Industries, and four years later, he acquired the state-owned Orient Tannery, renaming it Apex Tannery in 1976. His vision and dedication to the footwear industry led to the creation of Apex Footwear in 1990, which has since become the top shoe export company in Bangladesh.
Elahi’s contributions to the business community and his success in developing a global footprint for Bangladeshi footwear have earned him widespread recognition. His legacy will be remembered for his pivotal role in the growth and modernization of the country’s footwear industry.
Syed Manzur Elahi also held the position of adviser to a former caretaker government, further cementing his influence in Bangladesh’s business and political spheres.
His passing marks the end of an era for Bangladesh’s footwear sector, and he will be greatly missed by his family, colleagues, and the wider business community.
