The prominent business leader and former President of the Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA), Sheikh Kabir Hossain, has passed away at the age of 83. He breathed his last at approximately 10:30 am on Saturday, 14 February, while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka.
Sources within the insurance sector confirmed the news, noting that he had been battling various physical ailments for several years. His passing marks the end of an era for the Bangladeshi financial services landscape, where he served as a central, albeit occasionally controversial, figure for over a decade.
A Legacy in Insurance and Education
Born in 1942 in Gopalganj, Sheikh Kabir Hossain was a cousin of the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After completing his postgraduate studies at the University of Dhaka, he began a diverse career in the civil service, holding positions at the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the Parjatan Corporation, and Sonali Bank. However, he transitioned into the private sector in 1975, eventually becoming a titan of industry.
Sheikh Kabir’s influence was most profound within the insurance sector. He was first elected President of the BIA in 2011 and held the position for an uninterrupted 13-year tenure. His leadership only concluded on 28 October 2024, when he resigned following the political shifts triggered by the July mass uprising.
Beyond insurance, his portfolio of leadership was remarkably broad, spanning healthcare, aviation, and higher education. He served as the Chairman of the National Tea Company, the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh, and the Central Depository Bangladesh Limited.
Summary of Key Positions and Contributions
| Organisation | Role Held |
| Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) | President (2011–2024) |
| Sonar Bangla Insurance | Chairman |
| Far East International University | Chairman, Board of Trustees |
| Bangladesh Red Crescent Society | Chairman |
| Lions Clubs International | International Director |
| Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital | Vice Chairman |
Final Rites and Tributes
Tributes have poured in from across the business community, acknowledging his philanthropic efforts and his role in establishing educational institutions, such as the Khan Saheb Sheikh Mosharraf Hossain School and College.
His first funeral prayer (Janaza) is scheduled to take place at the Kalabagan Staff Quarter Jame Mosque. Following the service, his body will be transported to his ancestral home in Gopalganj, where he will be laid to rest in the family graveyard on Sunday.