About Me
Executive Director,
Nagad Limited, Bangladesh
Maruful Islam Jhalak is a Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, and Youth Leader, Executive Director of Nagad Ltd. His innovations and determination have led Nagad to become one of the leading MFS companies in Bangladesh. He was instrumental in converting an ailing business into one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in the world.
Early Life and Education
Maruful spent his early life growing up in Chashara, Narayanganj. His father, Advocate Shamsul Islam Bhuiyan, is the president of Shonarga Upojela wing of Awami-League. His mother, Professor. Dr. Shirin Begum, is the president of Narayanganj Mohila Awami-League. He received his higher education from the prestigious Notre Dame College, Dhaka. He started working for social causes there as the President of ICSA in 1999, raising funds for acid victims and organizing blood drives for dengue infected patients. He graduated from North South University in 2006, also serving as the Vice President of Young Entrepreneurs Society. He moved to the UK to pursue an MBA degree from Cardiff. He returned to Bangladesh in the year 2010 to contribute his education and experience for his motherland.
Education & Research
He went to the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK, to pursue his MBA before that. In the UK, he worked as an energy advisor for several leading energy companies such as EDF Energy, Npower & E.on (the second largest electricity generator in the UK).
International Business, MBA certificate from the University of Wales, Jhalak has achieved many special awards. Jhalak’s areas of expertise include operational excellence in production, throughput improvement, improvement of sales, OTIF (On Time In Full) delivery, and cost reduction.
He is also the charter President of JCI Dhaka Uptown and the founder of JCI Village.
Early Career
Jhalak’s professional career began more than 11 years ago. He has successfully managed several business ventures in UK & Bangladesh and has become operationally agile & effective in managing change.
He started his business career in 2009 as the Managing Director of Tex Mart Ltd (a 100% export-oriented garments factory).
Jhalak is also Managing Director of I-Business Holdings Limited, a diversified conglomerate holding company. Global coverage of I-Business is comprised of 42 offices in 24 countries. I-Business is also an honored member of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Total Group Turnover for I-Business Holdings was $432.87+ Million during 2021 with 350+ devoted employees.
Nagad and Beyond
Jhalak is the Executive Director of Nagad Limited, which has successfully launched “Nagad,” the National Wallet of Bangladesh with Bangladesh Post Office’s Digital Financial Service on 26 March 2019.
His dynamic leadership in Nagad will advance Bangladesh’s “financial inclusion” set-up, where 57.9 million adult Bangladeshis lack access to a bank account. He is also driving the implementation of the Management Control System in Nagad to design New Ways of Working & behavioral change for the first time in Bangladeshi companies’ history (which is usually implemented by Fortune 500 companies).
Rise to Prominence
Jhalak is now one of Bangladesh’s most prominent investors and has contributed to turning around stodgy industries. He has invested in diversified sectors like Telecommunication, ICT, FinTech, Human Capital, Water Management solutions, Real Estate & Construction, Aviation, Hospitality, etc.
Experience
Executive Director: Nagad Limited
Dec 2016- Till Date
A Digital Financial Service Provider in Bangladesh operates under the Bangladesh Post Office's authority, an attached department of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (Bangladesh). Nagad is the new version of the previously introduced Postal Cash Card and Electronic Money Transfer System (EMTS) of the Bangladesh Post Office.
Executive Director: T-Asia Group
April 2014 - Till Date
T-Asia is a group of technology companies focusing on different telecommunications services and solutions segments. The core competencies of each group company aggregate into one strong driving force by providing end to end turn-key solutions within three vertical markets- compromising next-generation infrastructure solutions & professional services, managed IP voice services, and wholesale carrier voice services to address the needs of Tier-n wireline and wireless carriers, network operators, and service providers.
Managing Director: I-Business Holdings Ltd
April 2014 - Till Date
I-Business invests in exceptional entrepreneurs building market-altering versatile businesses. At I-Business, they invest early. More than half of their investments to date were incorporated at their office. I-Business typically invests up to $500,000 at inception, with the ability to support subsequent rounds as required. They invest alone or alongside other value-added venture and angel investors who believe that founder/investor alignment is key to building successful companies and profitable exits. I-Business has invested in ICT, IT, IGW, Tours-Travels & Ticketing, Venture Capital Firms, and the software development industry.
Director: Tex Mart Limited, Bangladesh
Dec 2010 - 2016
Tex Mart Limited is a 100% export-oriented garments industry. It has been dealing with customers from the UK, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Spain, and many other EU countries. Tex Mart produces quality Knit Garments and exports in mentioned countries.
Managing Director: I-Business Holdings Ltd
April 2014 - Till Date
I-Business invests in exceptional entrepreneurs building market-altering versatile businesses. At I-Business, they invest early. More than half of their investments to date were incorporated at their office. I-Business typically invests up to $500,000 at inception, with the ability to support subsequent rounds as required. They invest alone or alongside other value-added venture and angel investors who believe that founder/investor alignment is key to building successful companies and profitable exits. I-Business has invested in ICT, IT, IGW, Tours-Travels & Ticketing, Venture Capital Firms, and the software development industry.
Managing Director: Tex Mart Limited, Bangladesh
Dec 2010 - Till Date
Tex Mart Limited is a 100% export-oriented garments industry. It has been dealing with customers from the UK, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Spain, and many other EU countries. Tex Mart produces quality Knit Garments and exports in mentioned countries.