Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) is the oldest and pre-eminent private sector trade organization in Bangladesh. In 2014, MCCI reached their milestone year of 110 years. Eminent dignitaries both from Bangladesh and India graced the momentous occasion. The Bengal Chamber was sent a special invitation to participate in the event, more so since the Bengal Chamber has a long-standing MoU of cooperation with MCCI.
The President of the Bengal Chamber, Dr. Alok Roy, along with the Director General Mr. P.Roy and senior members of the Chamber, Mr. Deb A Mukherjee, MD, Enfragy India Pvt. Ltd. (Chairperson, Energy and Environment Committee and North East Initiative), Mr. Arun Kumar Mukherjee, Director, Hari Machines (Chairperson Emeritus, Energy and Environment Committee) and Mr. Debasish Ghosh, Partner, KPMG Advisory, formed the delegation to Bangladesh.
It was a two-day event starting on 17th October 2014 with an invitation to dinner with the acclaimed scientist and the 11th President of India, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam. Dr. Kalam graced the two day event as the Guest of Honour. 18th October witnessed the inauguration of the new logo of MCCI and a book launch. The event was well attended by distinguished guests like Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, MP, Hon’ble Minister for Finance (the Chief Guest), Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Special Guests Mr. Tofail Ahmed, MP, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Mr. Amir Hossain Amu, MP, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Guest of Honour, Hon’ble Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, Ms. Rokia Afzal Rahman, President, MCCI, Mr. Anis A. Khan, Chairman, Organizing Committee and Vice President, MCCI. Hon’ble Dr. Kalam was the Keynote Speaker. An Open House Session followed his speech.
18th October evening opened to a packed house with a classical performance by Ustad Shahadat Husain Khan and his team. Ms. Rokia Afzal Rahman, President, MCCI, welcomed all dignitaries present. A keynote speech by Professor Dipak C. Jain, was followed by presentation of crests. The Bengal Chamber was presented with a crest by the Chief Guest Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, MP, Hon’ble Minister for Finance, Bangladesh, which was graciously received by the President of the Bengal Chamber, Dr Alok Roy. The commemoration came to a grand close with a beautiful dance rendition and presentation of MCCI Centenary Awards that was followed by dinner.