Rokia Afzal Rahman started her career as a banker and was the first woman bank Manager of erstwhile East Pakistan in 1964. In 1980 she ventured into Business and set up an agro industry. Later her business expanded to other areas such as insurance, media and real estate. She is the founder and President of Women Entrepreneurs Association, Bangladesh, which works for women’s empowerment through women’s entrepreneurship development, facilitating access to collateral free credit, organising management, and skilled training for women throughout Bangladesh. Mrs. Rahman founded Dhaka’s Presidency University as well as several marketing outlets owned and managed by women under the name of Mini Marts.

Mrs. Rahman was elected President of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation in 1997-1998. She was a director on the Board of the Central Bank of Bangladesh in 1999-2001. In 2001 she was appointed advisor in the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh. She is also Chair of Airlinks Group and Mediaworld Ltd.

Some of the Awards received by Mrs. Rokia Rahman include the Priyadarshani Award in Delhi for her contribution towards development, Leading women Entrepreneurs of the World Award in Monte Carlo in 1999. Amcham’s Business Person of the Year Award, 2003 and Bangladesh Shilpa Bank’s award for Good Business Management.