The Bureau of Human Rights Bangladesh (BHRB) has honoured the JMI Group with a human rights award for the company’s outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal handed over the award to the founder and Managing Director of JMI Group Md Abdur Razzaq at an event at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka in the capital on Wednesday, read a press release.
In addition to JMI Group – one of the leading companies in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing sector of the country – five other individuals and four organisations have received human rights medals and honours.
Supply of 13 lakh pieces of gloves in the protective equipment sent by the Prime Minister to China at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, supply of auto-disabled (AD) syringes as the sole domestic company in the mass-Covid vaccination program, production of anti-virus respirator ‘KN95’ masks for the first time in the country, free of cost healthcare, including distribution of food and protective equipment to the poor and needy people were the main drivers behind giving the award to the JMI Group.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, “Many people are working on human rights in Bangladesh. However, the BHRB has a slightly different way of thinking.
“They have found those who have worked in the service of humanity during the Covid-19 pandemic and given honours. I thank them.”
The minister added, “The individuals and institutions to whom they gave medals and honours are all enlightened and virtuous people of the country. All of them are constantly working for the country, for the people of the country.”
After receiving the award, the founder and Managing Director of JMI Group Md Abdur Razzaq said, “JMI is one of the promising names in the health sector of the country. We started the business in 1999 with only 50 employees producing three types of products, now the total number of employees has exceeded 8,500.
“JMI Group currently has a total of 42 industrial establishments in various sectors including pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing, marketing, healthcare, housing, printing, industrial gas, LPG, LPG cylinder and auto tank manufacturing.”
He added, “In the long journey of 24 years, JMI Group has invested over Tk 5,000 crore in these institutions. Of this, about Tk 1,000 crore came from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and China as a foreign direct investment (FDI).
“Currently, our various factories are manufacturing more than 400 types of medical equipment and healthcare products, of which at least 50 are for the first time made in Bangladesh. Our products are regularly exported to more than 40 countries in the world including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Africa.”
Md Abdur Razzaq continued, “We are steadily expanding our business for the welfare of the country and people. None of our factories was closed even for a day during Covid-19.
“Risking lives, JMI Group employees have prepared medicines and other protective materials for the country. I am grateful to the organisers for honouring me here today.”
The other organisations that received the BHRB award are - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Daily Prothom Alo, Bashundhara Group, Beximco Pharma, Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, Councilor of Narayanganj City Corporation Maksudul Alam Khandaker Khorshed, Managing Director of Hotels International Limited Md. Aminur Rahman, Mayor of Manikganj Municipality Md Ramzan Ali and vocalist and social activist Tasrif Khan.
BHRB founder and general secretary Md Shahjahan said that their activities during the pandemic have been specially considered in awarding the award.
