Obaidul Karim

Obaidul Karim is a Bangladeshi businessman and the founder and chairman of Orion.[1] He is the president of sporting club Mohammedan SC Limited.[2]

Career

The Orion Group was founded by Obaidul Karim[3] during 1985 when he started with Orion Laboratories Ltd. The Group’s early growth was driven organically through operations in pharmaceuticals & LVPs and toiletries & cosmetics. In 1993 Orion acquired the then ailing Kohinoor Chemical Co Ltd,[4] manufacturer of the major line of ‘Tibet’ brand toiletries and beauty care products. Orion has been a producer in the Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics and Toiletries sectors since 1985 in Bangladesh. More recently, Orion has been focused on Infrastructure Development and Power Generation businesses through major investments and joint ventures. One contribution in the country is the implementation of a 10 km elevated expressway (flyover) in Dhaka.

The Orion Group divides their operations into number of Strategic Business Units with multiple subsidiary companies in Agro Products, Cosmetic & Toiletries,[4] Construction and Allied, Energy Sector, Hospitality Management, Infrastructure Development, Pharma & healthcare, Power Generation, Real Estate, Sports & Events and Textiles & Garments.

Power operations

In December 2011, the Bangladesh Power Development Board announced the signing of three agreements with Orion Group Bangladesh for setting up coal-fired power plants with total capacity of 1,200 megawatt. Orion will build two plants in Khulna and Chittagong with the capacity of 282.67 MW each and one in Munshiganj of 522MW capacity as part of a $1.7 Billion.[5] All three plants will use imported coal to generate electricity. Orion’s current HFO fuelled power generation projects of 300MW in the country contribute significantly in mitigating acute power crisis in the country.

Infrastructure

Orion Group’s subsidiary companies are completing the Mayor Mohammad Hanif flyover in Dhaka. The dual carriageway flyover includes 11 slip roads or ramps (exit and entries) and will stretch from the Dhaka- Chittagong highway to Palashi. The contract is estimated to be completed by the end of 2014.

City Center

Orion has also developed City Center, a major skyscraper in the Dhaka and the tallest building in the country. The City Center project is a 39-storied commercial complex cum car parking in the business area of Dhaka city set to be the highest building in Dhaka.[6]

Controversy

He "gifted" a luxury SUV to the Harris Chowdhury, personal secretary of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia for favor in gaining contracts.[7][8] He was charged with corruption by the anti-corruption commission.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ "Scamster Obaidul Karim gets 5 years". The Daily Star. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  2. ↑ "Karim urges for unity". The Daily Star. 2011-09-22. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  3. ↑ "Worldfolio Article". Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Kohinoor & Orion". Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  5. ↑ "Financial Express Article". Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "City Center Complex". Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Threats, trickery were Harris' tools for ill-gotten gains". The Daily Star. 2008-08-16. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  8. ↑ Manik, Julfikar Ali; Khan, Sharier. "Harris Chowdhury Another rags to riches story". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  9. ↑ "Ashraf, Harris Chy, Obaidul Karim charged with bribery". The Daily Star. 2007-11-15. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  10. ↑ "ACC presses charge against Orion chief Obaidul Karim". The Daily Star. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2016-10-29.

Further reading

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