Anis Ud Dowla
๐ Biography
M. Anis Ud Dowla is the Chairman of ACI Group (Advanced Chemical Industries), one of Bangladesh's leading diversified conglomerates. ๐ญ With over 40 years of management experience, Mr. Dowla is one of the most respected and senior business leaders in Bangladesh, having led ACI's transformation from a multinational subsidiary into a major Bangladeshi conglomerate. ๐
๐ญ ACI Group โ A Diversified Conglomerate
๐ Under Mr. Dowla's leadership, ACI Group has grown into a major player in Bangladesh's pharmaceutical and consumer goods market:
- ๐ ACI Pharmaceuticals โ one of Bangladesh's top pharma companies
- ๐ ACI Consumer Brands โ leading consumer goods portfolio
- ๐พ ACI Agribusiness โ agricultural products and seeds
- ๐ ACI Motors โ automotive division
- ๐ช ACI Logistics (Shwapno) โ Bangladesh's largest retail chain
- ๐ง ACI Salt โ salt manufacturing
๐ฐ ACI Limited is a publicly listed company on the Dhaka Stock Exchange with annual revenues exceeding Tk 69 billion (approximately $570 million). The group is known for its strong corporate governance, innovation, and commitment to quality. ๐
๐ Multinational Career Experience
๐ Mr. Dowla's career spans 32+ years with two British multinational corporations:
- ๐ญ British Oxygen Group (UK) โ served for 27 years across Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Kenya, including 12 years as Managing Director of Bangladesh Oxygen Ltd
- ๐ฌ ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) โ in 1987, became Group Managing Director of the three ICI companies in Bangladesh
๐ฏ This extensive multinational experience has shaped ACI's corporate culture, with special emphasis on quality, productivity, and customer service โ maintaining multinational standards in a Bangladeshi company. ๐
๐๏ธ Industry Leadership & Chamber Presidencies
๐ค Mr. Dowla has provided leadership to Bangladesh's business community in multiple capacities:
- ๐๏ธ President, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Dhaka โ elected 4 times (1977, 1978, 1995, 2010)
- ๐ข President, Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) โ elected 6 times (1975-76, 1976-77, 1991-92, 1992-93, 2003-04, 2004-05)
- ๐ President, Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC) โ current
- ๐ฑ President, Bangladesh Seed Association โ current
๐ผ Board Affiliations & Philanthropy
๐ Mr. Dowla serves on multiple boards and institutions:
- ๐ฆ Chairman, Pioneer Insurance Company Limited
- ๐ Director, Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh
- ๐ Board of Trustees, Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB)
๐จโ๐ฆ The Dowla family continues to lead ACI Group: Mr. Dowla's son, Arif Dowla, serves as Managing Director of ACI Limited, while his daughter, Shusmita Anis, is Managing Director of ACI Formulations PLC. ๐
๐ Career Timeline
Served 27 years with British Oxygen Group across Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Kenya, including 12 years as MD of Bangladesh Oxygen Ltd.
Became Group MD of the three ICI companies in Bangladesh. Later led the management buyout that transformed ICI Bangladesh into ACI.
Leads one of Bangladesh's top diversified conglomerates with $570M+ annual revenue, spanning pharma, consumer brands, agribusiness, motors, and retail.
Elected MCCI President four times โ unprecedented in the chamber's history.
Elected BEF President six times across three decades (1975-76, 1976-77, 1991-92, 1992-93, 2003-04, 2004-05).
Currently leads the association representing Bangladesh's publicly listed companies.