Nasir began his entrepreneurial journey at his father's small trading house at Khatunganj in Chittagong in 1967 .

After experiencing some off-track business, Nasir started his garment business with two other partners in 1984 with an initial investment of Tk 30 lakh.

Later in 1994, Nasir founded his Pacific Jeans at Chittagong Export Processing Zone. The company now is a preferred brand in the US and Europe.

At present, Nasir's enterprises include NZN Fashions, NZN Washing Plant Ltd, Diamond Fashion Ltd, Jeans 2000 Ltd and Pacific Accessories Ltd besides Pacific Jeans Ltd. The annual turnover of the enterprises stands at Tk750 crore.

Nasir's new venture, Universal Jeans Limited, is going to start journey by July.

Nasir is one of the patrons of an organisation that provides assistance for leukemia-affected children. He has also established four schools at Salimpur village in Sitakunda.

Outstanding Woman In Business Of The Year
Zinet Fatema, proprietor of Jahan Metal, was awarded 'Outstanding Woman in Business of the Year 2006.'

Fatema started her factory in 1998 to produce garden accessories, bakery utilities and boxes from tin, and candle stands, vases, jugs and glasses made of recycled glass. Jahan Metal entered European market in 2000.

A self-made entrepreneur, Fatema refused to take any financial support from her husband and other family members when she ventured into the unconventional trade.

With an average sales growth rate of 10 percent, Jahan Metal is a fast growing enterprise employing a total of 315 people.

Her organisation is divided into 4 sections: marketing, procurement, production and export. Respective managers, who directly report to her, supervise all the sections.

Enterprise Of The Year
The Acme Laboratories Ltd, one of the oldest and renowned pharmaceutical companies in the country, was awarded 'Enterprise of the Year 2006'.

Established by late Hamidur Rahman Sinha in 1954, Acme Laboratories Ltd is always seen as a forward-looking organisation.

The main goal of late Hamidur was to provide the general public with drugs at affordable prices. His legacy is carried on today by his sons and grandchildren.

The Acme Laboratories is the second largest manufacturer and exporter of human, herbal and animal health pharmaceutical products in Bangladesh. Although it started with human pharmaceutical products, it has diversified into herbal and animal health products in recent years.

The company's export destinations include Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Myanmar and Pakistan. In 2006 alone, Acme's export earnings from pharmaceuticals stood at US$ 600,000.

Mizanur Rahman Sinha, managing director of Acme Laboratories Ltd, received the award on behalf of the company.

Best Financial Institution Of The Year
'Best Financial Institution of the Year 2006' award went to Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd.

Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd, the first Bangladeshi-European joint venture bank in the country, started its journey in June 1996.

Beginning with a capital of Tk 134 crore (Tk1348.60 million) and 615 employees, the bank has expanded its services all over the country.

Steady and solid business growth together with strict discipline on expenses and culture of sound risk management has upgraded the bank to a level of excellence.

The bank's efforts towards strengthening the textile sector and RMG-related industry have continued to help home-grown businesses become competitive in the world market.

The bank has also financed a large number of small and medium enterprises.

Keeping customer satisfaction in mind as the key to banking business, Dutch-Bangla Bank automated all of its branches to provide real time any-where-any-branch banking services.

They have set up exclusive ATM and point of sales terminals at strategic points throughout the country.

The bank since its inception has been deeply involved with corporate social responsibility activities. Sustainable CSR activities have focused on improvement of health, education and poverty alleviation.

Md Yeasin Ali, managing director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd, received the award on behalf of the bank.