An aspiring young man left his village home at Nateswar of Noakhali for the port city of Chittagong in 1946 in search of a better fortune. He had little money in his pocket but a big dream. He was a teenager studying in class 9 at the time. This is the story of Late Mr. Abul Khair- Abul Khair Group founder. He was born in 1929 during the British rule and was the second child in the family.  He had a modest beginning working for a shop in Pahartali during the initial years. After working for a few years when he understood the dynamics of retail with some capital selling a piece of family land. With the accumulated savings and fathers support he opened his own shop in Pahartali during 1950-51. His shop was flourishing well helped by the establishment of the Haj camp in the vicinity but he was meant for bigger things. He got attracted by a cottage tobacco operation near his shop. He decided to venture into tobacco business and started with hand made Number 42 Abul Bidi in 1953. This is the day the seed of the country's one of the largest business conglomerates was sewn by the founder. He started small with only a few workers in a single room and used to personally supervise material procurement, making and distribution operation. After success in Chittagong, he expanded the Bidi business to Feni, Noakhali and Comilla.

With determination and hard work, he achieved consistent business success and accumulated sufficient capital to diversify in new businesses. He was a smart entrepreneur who always scanned the environment for opportunities and had the courage to venture in new business completely unknown to him. In 1964 he started a Brickfield business buying land in Madam Bibirhat area of Sitakund. The Brickfield business was later shifted to Khulshi area and was in operation till 2007. He then ventured in Import business during 1965 opening an office in Jail Road adjacent to Khatunganj. At that time, import business was dominated by merchants from West Pakistan. He used to secure import license from Karachi and gradually became a major importer of steel plate, cement, coconut oil, milk, cigarette paper etc. The trading business of Abul Khair Group is still operated from the same office. In 1968 he invested in two handlooms and started producing lungi with the brand name Sishmahal. Though it was a very popular brand the business had to be closed in 1973 due to shortage of yarn. Abul Khair Group Chittagong corporate office is located in this site now. In 1974 he invested in a cinema hall business at Noakhali which was in operation till 2003. He always dreamed about establishing large industry and secured land for that. Unfortunately, tragedy struck with his sudden pre-mature death on 4th February 1978, only at the age of 49 years. His legacy however lives on in AKG's entrepreneurial spirit and in its courage to venture in the unknown.

Unexpected sudden departure of Mr. Abul Khair left wife Masuda Begum and eight young children in great difficulty. At the time eldest son Mr. Abul Kashem was Honor's first year student at Chittagong University. Masuda Begum took charge as chairperson of the group and Mr. Abul Kashem started looking after businesses alongside his studies. Younger brother of the founder Mr. Abul Hossain also helped the family in this difficult period. Following the footsteps of elder brother Mr. Abul Hashem joined the business. Gradually other three sons of the founder Mr. Abu Syed Chowdhury, Mr. Shah Shafiqul Islam and Mr. Shah Rafiqul Islam all joined the family business completing their university degree.

After successfully stabilizing the existing businesses the second generation focused on pursuing fathers dream of establishing large and heavy industries. First acquisition was an oil refinery and production facility of edible oil and ghee. After experiencing success, AKG acquired a corrugated steel manufacturing business in Mohipal, Feni during 1993. With the growth and expansion of business, corrugated steel manufacturing was later shifted to own manufacturing facility at Madam Bibirhat in 1997. Cow Brand corrugated steel and colour coated steel are now the leading brands in the industry. AKG entered the consumer goods business in 1994 with the introduction of Starship condensed milk and subsequently Marks full cream milk powder. It now commands leadership in powder milk category and has strong position in packaged tea, non-carbonated beverage, snacks, candy and in baby food business. Building on the long heritage in tobacco AKG entered the cigarette market in 1998 and currently holds number 2 position in cigarette business.

With the introduction of Shah cement in 2002 AKG entered the cement industry. Shah cement achieved leadership position within the first year of its launch and has consolidated its position every year since. In order to meet the growing demand for cement and to achieve technological leadership, Shah cement invested in the world's largest vertical roller mill (VRM) which is recognized by Guinness World Records. In order to meet requirements of large constructions, Shah cement was extended to ready mix concrete business. With highest number of strategically located plants AKG has a strong position in RMC business.

AKG entered the construction steel business in 2009 with the launch of AKS brand. It introduced advanced TMT technology to Bangladesh market. Subsequently Bangladesh's first Electric Arc Furnace facility was added in 2015 for state-of-the-art steel refining. AKS now commands a strong position in construction steel market. Entry in ceramics and marble business was through an acquisition in 2011. AKG has invested significantly in upgrading and expanding sanitary ware manufacturing facility since acquisition. Stella is now the leading brand in sanitary ware market.

AKG Founder's dream of establishing heavy industry is growing bigger with the success of the group. The group remains committed for making international quality product accessible to local consumers. AKG shares its achievement with people through many charitable initiatives. Most notable being opening country's largest oxygen making facility at AKS plant for public when there was serious shortage of medical oxygen during COVID epidemic. The spirit and the legacy of founder lives on and will continue to guide the generations towards a brighter future.