Sheikh Kabir Hossain, the longstanding former President of the Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) and a prominent figure in the nation’s financial and social sectors, passed away on Saturday morning. He was 84.
Sources within the insurance industry confirmed that Mr Hossain breathed his last at approximately 10:30 AM on 14 February while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka. He had been battling various age-related physical ailments for several years.
A Life of Public Service
Born in 1942 in the Tungipara region of Gopalganj, Sheikh Kabir Hossain was a first cousin of the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Dhaka, embarking on a diverse career that spanned the civil service, banking, and private enterprise.
His professional journey began in the public sector, where he held positions at the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, and Sonali Bank. He eventually resigned from government service in 1975 to focus on the private sector and social development.
The Architect of the Insurance Sector
Mr Hossain is perhaps most widely recognised for his transformative impact on the Bangladeshi insurance market. Elected as the President of the BIA in 2011, he held the post for an unprecedented 13 consecutive years. He also chaired both Sonar Bangla Insurance and Faridpur-based FarEast Islamic Life Insurance.
His influence extended far beyond insurance, as he held leadership roles in several of the country’s most prestigious institutions:
| Organisation | Role Held |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) | Former President (2011–2024) |
| National Tea Company | Former Chairman |
| Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh | Former Chairman |
| Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) | Former Chairman |
| FarEast International University | Chairman, Board of Trustees |
| Lions Clubs International | Former International Director |
| Bangladesh Red Crescent Society | Former Chairman |
Legacy and Final Rites
Beyond his corporate achievements, Sheikh Kabir Hossain was a dedicated philanthropist. He founded the Khan Saheb Sheikh Mosharraf Hossain School and College and served as the Vice-Chairman of the Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital.
Following the political shifts in the country, he resigned from his BIA presidency on 28 October 2024. According to family sources, his first funeral prayer (Janaza) took place at the Kalabagan Staff Quarter Jame Mosque. His body will be transported to his ancestral home in Gopalganj, where he will be laid to rest in the family graveyard tomorrow.
