The New Nation - Internet Edition

Holcim Bangladesh Ltd, a leading cement company in the country, has recently been awarded by 'Financial Mirror-Robintex Business Award 2007- 2008' as the 'Best Multinational Company' in cement industry. The award giving ceremony was held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.

Financial Mirror is a national business weekly of the country, published in English since 1993. Every year it arranges this ceremony to recognise the eminent business personalities and organisations that perform excellent performances in their respective fields of business and contribute to the national economic development.

Holcim, the global market leader, is operating in more than 71 countries of the world. It started its operation in Bangladesh in 2000 and within a very short period of time has become the leading cement company of the country for its quality base product and services. Holcim Bangladesh is the first cement company in the country to introduce application-based masonry cement. It is also the first company to achieve ISO 14001, which is given for environmental practice in professional area. Holcim Bangladesh brought a new arena to the cement industry of the country by exporting cement in north east part of India. Besides, Holcim is the first company to be BIS certified. Holcim had significant participation in building the cement roads at Gazipur and Pabna. The company is also actively involved in corporate social responsibility activities.

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in 2003 the company took an initiative to provide insurance coverage for masons through Pragati Insurance. Since then, the company has enlisted about 4000 masons, from all over the country and recently Holcim handed over Tk 50,000 cheque to an injured mason under this insurance program. Holcim has also introduced scholarships for the mason's children under certain criteria.

Niaz Uddin Mahmood, Vice President -Business Development of Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd took the award on behalf of the company. Mahmood in his speech said that Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd is proud to have this award and will always try to establish exemplary performance in cement industry and will continue to contribute in the development of the country.

Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Board of Investment (BoI) was present as the chief guest and handed over the crest of the prestigious business awards to the recipients.