Selima in Norway to receive award

Bangladesh’s Selima Ahmad is among the six global business leaders to receive this year’s Oslo Business for Peace Award.

She and other recipients have reached Norway to receive the award from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi at Oslo City Hall on Thursday evening.

Nobel Prize winners also receive the coveted award at this hall. Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus too received his Nobel Peace Prize at this hall.

This is Norway-based Business for Peace Foundation’s sixth award giving ceremony.

Another Bangladeshi businessman, Transcom Group Chairman Latifur Rahman was conferred the prestigious award, in 2012.

Selima Ahmad will be third Bangladeshi to receive any coveted award at Oslo City Hall.

Sharing her feelings with bdnews24.com, Selima Ahmad said, “There was a different feeling when my name was announced for the award, now the feeling is different.”

“I am feeling honoured that Bangladesh is getting this honour because of me. At the same time, I think my responsibility has also now increased.”

Even before the commencement of the main event, Selima and other recipients have been getting lot of felicitations.

Norway’s foreign minister has already felicitated them.

Vice Chairperson of Nitol-Niloy Group Selima said she would work with renewed vigour to ensure that woman entrepreneurs play more significant role in country’s economy.

“To establish peace in the world, private sector needs to come forward. Businessmen will generate revenues and the government will use it for the welfare of the people.”

Stating that business leaders are the peace ambassadors, she said, “Peace will be established in the world through businessmen. Those of us who are receiving this award are establishing peace in our respective countries though business.”

Managing Director of the Business for Peace Foundation Oddvar Hesjedal, who was the former CEO of Grameenphone Bangladesh, told bdnews24.com, “The very concept of trade and business has been transformed around the world. The sole motive of business is no longer to earn profit only. The business should also be the catalyst for peace.”

The award has been introduced with an aim to enhance the social commitment of the business leaders, he said.

The five others who will receive the award with Selima are: Ouided Bouchamaoui of Tunisia, Richard Branson of United Kingdom, Kesha Kumari Damini of Nepal, Adnan Kassar of Lebanon and Marilyn Carlson Nelson of United States of America.

The International Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Global Compact and Business for Peace Foundation jointly selected them for the award.