Syed Manzur Elahi, chairman of Apex Group and former adviser to a caretaker government, passed away on Wednesday morning. He was 83.

He breathed his last at 9:31am (Bangladesh time) in Singapore while undergoing treatment at a hospital, said family members.

The businessman had been suffering from various age-related ailments.

Elahi was one of the pioneers of Bangladesh's leather export industry and played a key role in introducing locally produced leather footwear to the global market. His company, Apex, holds a significant position in both local and international footwear markets.

Elahi completed his B.A. from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, and later earned a master's degree in Economics from the University of Dhaka.

In 1962, he moved from Kolkata to Dhaka and in 1972, he resigned from his job and began working as an agent for a French leather importer.

After leaving his career in multinational corporations, he ventured into the leather business and became a successful entrepreneur.

In 1972, he established Manzur Industries and began selling leather on a commission basis.

Four years later, in 1976, he acquired state-owned Orient Tannery and founded Apex Tannery.

Fourteen years later, he launched Apex Footwear, which has grown to become one of the country's leading shoe exporters.