The Islam Group is one of the largest multi-disciplinary conglomerate of the country. It is involved in construction, engineering, manufacturing and trading activities. It has also considerable interest in banking and related financial activities in Bangladesh. It made its humble appearance in 1951 with the establishment of Bengal Development Corporation Limited with the idea of uplifting the economic infrastructure of the downtrodden and most neglected Eastern part of what was then Pakistan.

During the 60's, as Dhaka was becoming a metropolis, the Group could foresaw the requirement of Housing Estates to meet the expanding needs of the city dwellers. Thus the foundation of Eastern Housing Limited was laid in 1964, the institution which ultimately was destined to lead as the prime real estate and housing company of the country.

Another great development of the 60's was the modernisation of Bangladesh agriculture. Adequate and timely availability of water for the crop is the most important factor of high-yield and there were vast resources of groundwater, virgin and untapped till then for use in irrigation. The Milnars Tubewells Limited was born in 1966 and soon developed itself as the most leading water well drilling company. It has to its credit, hundreds and thousands of irrigation water wells drilled in much of Bangladesh.

Essential Products Limited, established in 1967 began operating successfully as one of the most modern foundry. The Group obtained ownership of Dhaka Jute Mills Limited, Sonali Jute Mills Limited and National Jute Mills Limited. Together, these three manufacturing plants had over 1500 narrow and standard looms. The Group also established Navana Industries Limited as specialized engineering complex for the production of standard and quality Jute Mill spares.

In the 20 years period between 1951 and 1971, the Group expanded steadily spreading more into engineering, manufacturing and international trading comprising of both imports and exports.

In post liberation period, Islam Group's phenomenal technical strength and expertise, its varied and outstanding experience and its human and material resources made them one of the top construction group in the South Asian region.

At the home front, in the eastern part of Bangladesh, the Group undertook 5000 irrigation Water Wells Project on a Turnkey basis for Bangladesh Agricultu Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corp. (BADC); perhaps the single largest contract of this type in the whole world. In Northwest Bangladesh, its other subsidiary company was completing supplying and commissioning of another mega groundwater pumping project, involving 3000 deep Water Wells sponsored by world Bank (IDA).

In 1975 Islam Group and its subsidiary entered the construction boom in the oil rich Middle East. The Group procured a substantial road construction contract linking Qatar with UAE followed by 5000 Houses contract in Abu Dhabi creating dircet emploment for thousands of Bangladesh citizens. It was because of devastating war in Iraq, the Group had to wind-up its middle eastern activities and returned home leaving to ruination of all its assets and less price equipment in Baghdad and Basra.

Private sector investment in rural based agro-economies is insignificant. However in 1991, Islam Group formed Aftab Bahumukhi Farm Limited at Bhagalpur, Kishoregonj with objective to provide good hygienic sources of poultry, egg, dairy products, vegetables, cereals, etc. The Company also introduced balanced poultry and animal feed alongwith quality seeds for the market. In 1992, Navana Pharmaceuticals Limited was established in Rupsi, Narayangong with objectives to providing the quality and affordable pharmaceuticals products to the people. The company is well equipped with modern machineries with efficient management and expertise.

In the recent past, astronomical growth in Information Technology industry has led many a companies to pay attention to the new business arena and Islam Group is no exception. Islam Group has come forward with its commitment towards IT sector through the launching of Aftab IT Limited with a far-sighted business goal to achieve.

Islam Group is keenly aware of its responsibility as a corporate body to contribute to the communities in which it works. Aftab Rahima Welfare Trust was established to be responsible for non-profit, group-sponsored programs aimed at helping the society. Under the Trust fund Jahurul Islam Medical College, the Hospital and the Nurses' Training Institue were established in 1989 as an integrated complex offering medical education and research, hospital care as well as training in nursing services. Because of its own uniqueness, Bhagalpur situated 110 km north east from Dhaka provided an ideal location for establishing the dream campus essentially in the service of the rural population.The Trust has also helped in establishment as well as providing required infrastructural help for schools, colleges, madrasas, orphanages and mosques mostly in the rural Kishoregonj. A separate Trust fund has also been created for offering scholarship for meritorious students of greater Mymensingh district.