Square Pharmaceuticals Limited received the Excellence in Investment Award in the Local Investment category at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
This achievement for the Square Group is a tribute to the birth centenary of its founder chairman, Samson H Chowdhury. Tapan Chowdhury, the Managing Director of Square Pharmaceuticals, shared his reaction to this accomplishment.
Question: Congratulations on this achievement for Square Pharmaceuticals. How will this recognition influence Square's future path?
Tapan Chowdhury: Thank you. This recognition belongs to everyone in the Square family, from the doctors and chemists to all the members. I hope everyone whose work has led to Square receiving this award will be inspired.
This achievement proves that Square is playing a significant role in the national economy as well.
Certainly. Also, if we consider the contribution in numbers, our direct contribution to GDP is 0.5%. And indirectly it's 3.5%. In terms of revenue, it's approximately Tk2,500 crore, which is 0.63% of the total revenue. These figures are increasing day by day.
Many fear that medicine prices will increase after the graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. How are we preparing ourselves for this challenge?
So far, as an LDC, we could legally produce any patented product. In the future, there is no doubt that there will be a big challenge. However, at least in the pharmaceutical sector, we are prepared to face the challenges. There won't be any major immediate problems.
Square Pharmaceuticals is also expanding its reach outside the country.
We are not just thinking about our own country. If there are opportunities for investment abroad, several of our companies will be able to take advantage of them well. For example, Square Pharmaceuticals currently has a factory in Kenya where we are doing well. In this way, we want to invest in other countries as well, using our own earned foreign currency.
Recently, you were seen getting Square's medicine in Tanzania in a much-discussed social media post. Can you go through the whole incident?
Yes, in a small village pharmacy in Tanzania, I suddenly saw Square Pharma's cough syrup on the shelf. I was very happy to see it. I asked the young saleswoman at the shop how our medicines were being received. She enthusiastically gave a positive response.
How responsible are corporate organizations like Square in ensuring a sustainable way of life?
Whenever we plan to build any industrial factory, the designs of the buildings or factories are such that the structures are built causing as little damage to nature as possible. That's why you'll see that our surroundings are quite green. We haven't harmed any water bodies or birds in our construction. Like everyone else, we are responsible for protecting nature, and we continue to work with that responsibility.
This year is the birth centenary of Square's founder chairman, Samson H Chowdhury. What initiatives have you taken on this occasion?
Many initiatives are being undertaken. Among them, we, his children, have initiated the construction of a medical college, a nursing college, and a hospital under the 'Anita-Samson Trust'. We want to ensure that all types of people can access affordable healthcare through these facilities.
If you would share your thoughts on the future generation.
A large part of my thoughts revolves around my grandchildren. They are also part of the future generation. When I am gone, I wouldn't want my grandchildren to have reason to say that their grandfathers did not leave a beautiful world for them. I have worked and will continue to work to build that beautiful world, that beautiful country.
