Eminent entrepreneur and industrialist Syed Manzur Elahi passed away at the age of 83 this morning.

He breathed his last at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore at 9:31am (Singapore time), Elahi's son Syed Nasim Manzur told The Daily Star over phone.

Elahi was suffering from old-age complications.

"We are trying to bring him back to Dhaka today and want to hold his namaz-e-janaza and funeral tomorrow," he said.

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Legend of leather sector

Elahi is the founding chairman of the private bank.

While talking to the daily, Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank (MTB) PLC, said, "It is not only for the MTB family but also a huge loss for the nation."

Born in 1942, Elahi has an inspiring entrepreneurial journey. He led major business chambers and won various awards, including the lifetime achievement awards by DHL and The Daily Star, for his contribution to trade and industry.

He bought the humble Orient Tannery in 1975 for over Tk 12 lakh. It later paved the way for a transformation into the diverse corporation that Apex has become. Apex Footwear is now one of the largest footwear companies in Bangladesh in terms of domestic market and exports.