Chairman (Newage Group)

Mr. Abu Sayeed Mohammad Quasem (A.S.M. Quasem) is a distinguished entrepreneur, industrialist, business leader, and philanthropist who founded Newage Garments Ltd. in 1984, establishing the foundation of what has grown into the diversified Newage Group.

A 1963 graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Mr. Quasem has dedicated decades to the development of Bangladesh's manufacturing, textile, apparel, and business sectors. Under his leadership, Newage Group has evolved from its first garment manufacturing enterprise into a diversified industrial group comprising three garment manufacturing units, a composite knit textile mill, and a plastic injection-moulding plant. The Group employs approximately 9,500 people and generates annual turnover of around USD 100 million.

Entrepreneurial Leadership

Mr. Quasem's entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of Newage Garments Ltd. in 1984. His vision, industry knowledge, and long-term commitment have been instrumental in transforming the company into a diversified manufacturing group with capabilities spanning apparel, textiles, and plastics.

His leadership has been guided by a focus on industrial development, operational excellence, employment generation, and the creation of sustainable businesses capable of contributing to Bangladesh's export-oriented economy.

Business & Industry Leadership

Mr. Quasem has played an active role in Bangladesh's business and trade community, holding several prominent leadership positions.

He served as President of the Bangladesh Employers' Federation (1999–2000) and President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in 1997. He also served multiple terms as Vice President of ICC Bangladesh.

From 1998 to 2000, he served as Founder Chairman of the BIMST-EC Business Forum, a regional platform designed to strengthen business and economic cooperation among the private sectors of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

His involvement in these organizations reflects his longstanding contribution to strengthening private-sector representation, regional trade, and Bangladesh's business environment.

Corporate & Institutional Engagement

Mr. Quasem is a co-sponsor of Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Ltd. (CRAB), which has grown into one of the country's leading credit-rating institutions.

He has also served on the boards of several prominent national institutions, including Dhaka WASA, Bangladesh Services Ltd., the owner of Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, and the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR).

His professional experience extends beyond corporate leadership. As a consultant to the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, he provided advisory services relating to textile and clothing-sector development in Malawi, Mozambique, Cuba, and Bolivia, in addition to undertaking national consultancy assignments in Bangladesh.

Philanthropy & Social Development

Alongside his business career, Mr. Quasem has maintained a strong commitment to social development and philanthropy.

He serves as Managing Trustee of the Gulshanara Razzaque Foundation, a family trust dedicated to improving access to education and healthcare for underprivileged communities.

The Foundation operates a free primary school in Dhaka serving approximately 600 students, a 30-bed hospital in Dohar, and a Nursing Institute and Nursing College offering diploma and degree-level programmes.

Mr. Quasem also serves as a Trustee of the RADDA MCH-FP Centre and the DCCI Foundation, further reflecting his commitment to education, healthcare, and community development.

International Exposure

Mr. Quasem has travelled extensively throughout his professional career, visiting approximately 150 cities in more than 40 countries across six continents. His international exposure has included participation in numerous national and international conferences, seminars, workshops, and professional engagements.

This global perspective has complemented his extensive experience in Bangladesh's industrial and business sectors, contributing to his understanding of international markets, trade, and industrial development.

Leadership Legacy

For more than four decades, Mr. A.S.M. Quasem has combined entrepreneurship, industrial leadership, institutional engagement, and philanthropy in building the Newage Group and contributing to Bangladesh's broader economic and social development.

From founding Newage Garments Ltd. in 1984 to leading a diversified industrial group today, his career reflects a sustained commitment to manufacturing excellence, employment creation, business development, and social responsibility.

His leadership continues to shape the strategic direction of Newage Group while his philanthropic initiatives contribute to expanding access to education and healthcare for communities in need.

Key Highlights

  • Chairman — Newage Group
  • Founder — Newage Garments Ltd., established in 1984
  • B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering — BUET, 1963
  • Former President (1999–2000) — Bangladesh Employers' Federation
  • Former President (1997) — Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Former Vice President — ICC Bangladesh
  • Founder Chairman (1998–2000) — BIMST-EC Business Forum
  • Co-Sponsor — Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Ltd. (CRAB)
  • Former Board Member — Dhaka WASA
  • Former Board Member — Bangladesh Services Ltd. (Hotel InterContinental)
  • Former Board Member — Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)
  • Former Consultant — International Trade Centre (ITC)
  • Managing Trustee — Gulshanara Razzaque Foundation
  • Trustee — RADDA MCH-FP Centre
  • Trustee — DCCI Foundation