M.M. Ispahani
Encyclopedia : M : MM : MMI : M.M. Ispahani
Haji Mohammed Hashem (1789-1850) the founder of The House of Ispahani, moved from Ispahan, Persia to Bombay in 1820 and established what was to become one of the most respected business concerns of the Sub-Continent. The Ispahani family subsequently expanded to include a broad range of businesses stretching from Bombay in the west, to Madras in the south and Burma in the east. His grandson Haji Mirza Mehdy Ispahani (1841-1913) moved the corporate headquarters to Madras. He also spent twelve years in Cairo expanding his trade - leather, tea, turmeric; tamarind, peanuts and other produce of India. He opened a branch office in Dhaka in the year 1888. His son Mirza Mohamed Ispahani (1871-1925) established the Calcutta office of MM Ispahani & Sons in the year 1900.
Mirza Ahmad Ispahani (1898-1986) eldest son of Mirza Mohamed Ispahani joined the partnership in 1918 and established the private limited company, M.M. Ispahani Limited in 1934 in Calcutta along with his younger brothers Mirza Abol Hassan Ispahani and Haji Mirza Mahmood Ispahani. The final move was made in 1947 with the shifting of the corporate headquarters to Chittagong where it stands today. The Company continued to operate as a foreign company in Calcutta until 1965 when it was taken over by the Indian Government.
It was under the visionary leadership of Mirza Ahmad Ispahani that the company rapidly expanded its business. By 1947, MM Ispahani Limited was the foremost exporter of shellac, kapok, hessian, jute bags, tea and chemicals In 1948 Mirza Ahmad Ispahani left the family business for public service where he and his brother Mirza Abol Hassan Ispahani played a pivotal role in the formation and industrialisation of the new country.
His son Mirza Mehdy Ispahani (a.k.a. Sadri Ispahani) born in 1923, was made chairman of M.M. Ispahani Limited in 1949 and remained in that post till he died in 2004.
In 2004 Mirza Ali Behrouze Ispahani son of Mirza Mehdy Ispahani was elected chairperson of M.M.Ispahani Limited and its sister concerns. He is also chairman of Islamia Eye Hospital and M.A.Ispahani Institute of Opthalmology Management Committee, Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA), Hossainia Dalan Imambara Management Committee and University Dental College and Hospital. A member of Dhaka Stock Exchange, Ispahani is also director of MIDAS, International Publication Limited (IPL), owning company of The Financial Express, Holiday Publication Limited and Information Services Network (ISN).
Mirza Ali Behrouze Ispahani was vice-president of Mohamedan Sporting Club, president of Gulshan Youth Club and a member of Dhaka Club.
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