I will work to create more opportunities for the young entrepreneurs across the country and for the betterment of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh.
JCI Bangladesh works for the standard changes and development of society and the development of personal skill and intelligence.
Niaz Morshed Elite, the National President 2021 of JCI Bangladesh, was telling all these to Banglanews24.com in an interview.
The interview has highlighted his JCI career, plans with JCI Bangladesh and a few other issues.
Following is the detail interview of the young entrepreneur and political icon:
Banglanews: Before we talk about your JCI career, can you please tell us about the role of JCI.
Niaz Morshed Elite: It is an international organization of young people aged between 18 and 40 years. It works for the standard changes and development of society and the development of personal skill and intelligence. JCI Bangladesh is one of the most happening branches across the world and we have been recording 100 per cent efficiency in most of the recent years.
Banglanews: We need to know about your JCI career. When did your JCI journey begin?
Niaz Morshed Elite: My JCI career began in 2011 as a Member of JCI Dhaka East while the next year I was a Local Director of the chapter. In 2013, I was the founder Local President of JCI Chittagong. The following year I was a National Director. In 2015, I became a National Vice President and in 2016, I was the General Legal Counsel. I also became a Senator in 2016.
Banglanews: So, you have been away from JCI for a while and then became the National President?
Niaz Morshed Elite: Yes, this was the first time the National President was elected. There hasn’t been done any election for 21 years. There are 13 chapters and their Local Presidents are the voters. I won 59-32, which is a proof that a change was inevitable.
Banglanews: please let us know about your key target this year.
Niaz Morshed Elite: I will work to create more opportunities for the young entrepreneurs across the country and for the betterment of this organization.
Banglanews: We want to know about your professional life.
Niaz Morshed Elite: I joined my family business in 2003 at the age of 20 as an Executive and gradually took the helm of the group businesses.
We have pioneered many successful ventures in the automotive sector. We introduced 3 Wheeler 12 Seated Passenger Vehicle and AUGE Brand 2 Wheeler (Motorcycle) in Bangladesh with remarkable success.
Our company Borotakia Construction, enlisted as 1st class contractor of Chittagong Port Authority, is currently a leading firm in port operation services including bulk commodity bagging service, equipment handling and maintenance service and major handling equipment supply.
I also tried to play a role in the modernisation of Chattogram Port. I sit on important committees of Chittagong Port Authority involved in the development of Chattogram Port and the newly established Payra Port in Patuakhali district of the country.
I am also serving as the Director of 'Nagad’, a digital financial service provider in Bangladesh operating under the authority of Bangladesh Post Office, which is an attached department of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication of Bangladesh.
Banglanews: Are you affiliated with any political parties?
Niaz Morshed Elite: Yes, I am there in the Jubo League central committee. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is my idol.
Banglanews: You are very active in the sports arena…
Niaz Morshed Elite: Yes I am one of the owners of Bangla Tigers, who play in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. I am also the chief coordinator of the Chattogram branch of Bangladesh Chess Federation and President of Brothers Union Dhaka & Chattogram both club’s cricket committee.
Banglanews: Please tell us about your involvement with different social initiatives.
Niaz Morshed Elite: I am the Founder President of Chittagong Khulshi Club Limited, President of the northern branch of Chittagong Human Rights Commission, General Secretary of Ekushey Mela Council, Chief Adviser of Kaler Kantho Shuvo Shongho & Chief Patron of Niaz Morshed Elite blood donors’ club
Banglanews: How can we convert our youth into a potential asset?
Niaz Morshed Elite: The total development of Bangladesh is by default a private sector led phenomenon. I am also working to awaken the potential of the youth of our nation. Bangladesh has the vision to become a middle-income country and gradually, a developed country but if we fail to connect to the group in the 19 to 40 age bracket, then we will fail to achieve our targets.
The youth have failed to enter the business domain due to shortages in capital; consequently, they queue up in the long lines to enter the service industry. They can be counted as assets when we are helping develop their skills. However, they will be turned into liabilities when the appropriate fields are not created for them. Supporting policy regimes which can aid young entrepreneurs in both the micro and macro levels are important.
Banglanews: Do you think our education system is supportive enough comparing to our job market?
Niaz Morshed Elite: We need a large pool of young entrepreneurs to reach our long-term goals so we need to start providing the necessary technical training for these people. We have to bring change in our mindsets and curriculums. The majority of the people are studying for BBAs and MBAs and now there is a new trend of going for Law degrees. This is because the market is over saturated. We need to go for education that supports our market and the market demand for technical people is expanding every day.”
Banglanews: What is your thinking about moral base of our youths?
Niaz Morshed Elite: In my opinion, there is a lack of patriotism in our youth. Expanding on this aloofness regarding our cultures and norms, we are adopting the others’ norms very quickly but forgetting our ones, which is quite alarming. Our younger generation is not thinking about our culture and is not aligned with our roots. A lot of people are not even properly aware of the history of the Liberation War and the war criminals. Those who were present during the war time are emboldened by our history but there is a missing link with the current generation.
Banglanews: Please share with us about your family.
Niaz Morshed Elite: My father is Mr Monirul Islam Yousuf while Mrs. Lutfun Nahar is my mother. My wife Tasmina Ahmed Sraboni is a leading woman entrepreneur while my children are named Nuha Niaz & Nawaf Niaz.
Banglanews: Please tell us about your family business…
Niaz Morshed Elite: Our business started in 1989. Since 1989, we have been distributing Tata trucks and buses with Nitol Motors and continued it up to 2002 and then joined with Runner group. I first became involved with the business when I was still a student at North South University in 2003. My father gave me a job as an executive in Borotakia Group and in 2006 I started a new business in Bangladesh which involved a plant for assembling three wheelers. In 2012, I established the Junior Chamber in Chittagong and in 2013, I established the Kulshi Club. Now we have 800 members and we have procured land in Foy’s Lake. I still have a long way to go but it gives me encouragement to see young people and their contributions to these organizations. We have a two wheelers and three wheeler assembling plant. We are working with the Chittagong and Payra ports and also involved in equipment handling and maintenance business in the ports. Later, we are looking to make an assembling plant encompassing 142 acres of land and are in a process of signing contracts with a Chinese company for the transport vehicles in the 1 ton range.
BDST: 1240 HRS, JAN 05, 2021
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