Bangladesh C-Suite Awards 2024 by Bangladesh Brand Forum has recently honoured Sarzil Sarwar as the Chief Digital Officer (CDO)/Digital Director of the Year 2024. Sarzil Sarwar serves as the Area Head of Information and Digital Technology at BAT Bangladesh. The ceremony occurred on December 12 at Le Méridien Dhaka. The Bangladesh C-Suite Awards were created to recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements of Bangladeshi business leaders. The prestigious award honours C-Suite Executives and Managing Directors who exemplify integrity, pursue excellence, earn the trust of others, and have built a competitive organisation. The honourees get selected by a distinguished advisory board comprised of eminent business leaders and a professional audit board based on specific criteria. Sarzil Sarwar has continuously inspired and led by example. He set benchmarks for colleagues and professionals within the industry. Through his illustrious career, Sarzil Sarwar has empowered founders of startups and digital ventures in accelerator programs, such as the Stanford Seed Program, Bangladesh Angels, and R-Venture. Additionally, he is the Founder and President of the Chief Information Officers (CIOs) fraternity in Bangladesh. The networking platform has been designed for CIOs and IT leaders to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing within the tech community. Under Sarzil Sarwar’s leadership, BAT Bangladesh has achieved exceptional business results while adhering to compliant business practices. His contribution has driven global and regional collaboration in the tech and digital space. As the Global BAT AI Lead and a member of the DIFC Innovation Hub, Sarzil Sarwas has pioneered innovative applications of AI in agri-tech, anti-counterfeiting, and trade. His expertise has also strengthened corporate governance through the adoption of innovative solutions. Notable examples include AGM Portal, Digital Board Management, and Governance Solutions. These platforms ensured a seamless experience for shareholders and board members. Moreover, he has leveraged tech solutions to drive growth during the pandemic and unrest in the country, ensuring the business keeps on growing even during critical challenges. On such a celebratory occasion, Sarzil Sarwar, Area Head of Information and Digital Technology, BAT Bangladesh, said, “I feel deeply humbled to receive the CDO/Digital Director of the Year 2024 Award at the Bangladesh C-Suite Awards. Such a recognition reflects the incredible team efforts and innovation at BAT Bangladesh and beyond. Technology and digital solutions enable and transform forces that shape how we operate our businesses and grow sustainably. I want to dedicate this achievement to my mentors, colleagues, and the vibrant tech community of Bangladesh, who have inspired me to push the boundaries and set new benchmarks.”

S M Mahbubul Alam, Managing Director of Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, has been honoured with the 'MD of the Year Award' in the 'MD of the Year (Tech)' category at the Bangladesh C-Suite Awards 2024. Organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum, the award recognises Alam's exceptional contributions to the national economy and efforts to enhance people's living standards through the production, marketing, and export of energy-efficient and environment-friendly appliances. The award ceremony, held on Thursday evening at a city hotel, saw Alam receive the crest and certificate from Dr. Ishtiaque Mahmood, Professor at the National University of Singapore. Expressing his gratitude, Alam said, “Bangladesh C-Suite Awards is one of the most prestigious accolades in the business sector. It is a great honour for me. Special thanks to all members of the Walton family for their hard work and dedication, enabling us to achieve remarkable success one after another.” Addressing the younger generation, he remarked, “There is no alternative to hard work for success. Every job has challenges and obstacles, but with strong determination and perseverance, one can achieve their goals.” The Bangladesh C-Suite Awards, launched in 2022, aim to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Bangladeshi executives. This year, the awards received 87 nominations from 33 businesses across 24 categories. After rigorous evaluation by a jury comprising the country’s top experts, 22 business leaders were recognised for their contributions. The awards ceremony followed the 8th Leadership Summit, a flagship initiative of Bangladesh Brand Forum. Approximately 350 business leaders, professionals, and experts participated in the summit, where Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, delivered the welcome speech.

Saimon Air Travels Ltd has been appointed as the general sales agent (GSA) for Royal Jordanian Airlines in Bangladesh. Saimon Air Travels will provide comprehensive sales and marketing services for Royal Jordanian, along with full customer and agent support. The company will begin offline sales on December 8. Royal Jordanian, a leading airline in the Levant and Middle East region, continues to pursue its vision of being the "Airline of Choice and Hub of the Middle East." It connects Jordan, the Levant, and beyond to the world with its modern fleet and commitment to exceptional service. The airline operates direct flights to over 45 destinations and offers connections to more than 50 locations beyond Amman. Royal Jordanian links Bangladesh to the entire Middle East, offering travellers attractive fares, convenient schedules, and a smooth, comfortable journey.

The three-day Walton “Advanced Technology Solution- ATS Expo 2024” began on Thursday at Hall-3 of the Bashundhara International Convention Center in Dhaka. Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), inaugurated the expo as chief guest, according to a press release. “Walton has made Bangladesh proud and honoured. Walton acts as an ambassador of Bangladesh globally by exporting electronic products to many countries. Visiting the ATS Expo today, I gained a great understanding of Bangladesh’s capabilities. The country has made significant progress in producing technology products. Walton isn’t just advancing; it is also helping other industries move forward,” said the NBR chairman in his speech. “Walton manufactures a wide range of industrial materials and components, including finished products, raw materials, software, hardware, and packaging items at its advanced manufacturing plants. Walton supplies these electrical and electronic products to industries both locally and internationally,” said Walton Hi-Tech’s MD S M Mahbubul Alam in his inaugural speech. “We organised the ATS Expo to showcase Walton’s capabilities to local and international buyers and reduce the country’s dependency on imports in this sector,” he added. Local industries can use Walton’s industrial materials and components without needing to import them. This approach helps reduce costs and save time for local industries while saving significant foreign currency for Bangladesh by cutting down on imports, he also said. “Our goal is to present Bangladesh effectively on the global stage through this expo,” said Walton Hi-Tech’s Vice Chairman SM Ashraful Alam. “Walton manufactures the best products using the best technology. We have showcased our industrial materials and components at global events such as the Las Vegas, Canton, and Frankfurt fairs. Now, the world will recognise Bangladesh as a global hub for electronics manufacturing,” he said. The expo features over 50,000 industrial materials, components, testing labs, and other services, along with advanced electronic and electrical appliances. The ATS Expo will run until December 7, 2024. Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority Mahmudul Hasan, Woori Bank’s Country Head Jin Hur, were present at the time, among others.

North South University (NSU) will host its 25th Convocation on Saturday at Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal in Dhaka. Over 8,000 graduates will be awarded their degrees during this grand ceremony, according to a press release issued on Thursday. Education Adviser Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud will preside over the event and confer degrees on behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the chancellor of all universities in Bangladesh, it added. Govt to accept logical demands of students: Edu Adviser After conferring the degrees, Chancellor's Gold Medals and Vice Chancellor's Gold Medals will be presented to 20 graduates. UN Resident Coordinator for Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis will serve as the convocation speaker and Prof Md Mamun Molla, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics will present the opening remarks while Azim Uddin Ahmed, chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees, will also congratulate the graduates, the release added.  

bKash customers have already opened over 3.2 million DPS with IDLC Finance, Mutual Trust Bank, Dhaka Bank, City Bank, and BRAC Bank through bKash app from the comfort of their homes. This trailblazing achievement has been made possible in a span of just three years through the user-friendly bKash app, eliminating the need for paperwork and bank accounts. The overwhelming response from customers is a testament to bKash’s innovative technology and the trust in its partner banks. A remarkable 96% of the customers, whose DPSs have matured, have expressed the desire to continue their savings journey through the bKash app. By promoting savings habits, collaboration of banks and bKash is not only empowering individuals to secure their financial well-being but also contributing to the overall economic growth of the nation. The country’s largest MFS provider bKash has introduced monthly DPS of IDLC Finance in its platform in 2021. Following the success of that product, four other commercial banks gradually onboarded in bKash’s platform. Later, weekly DPS service of two banks and a financial institution was added to the bKash app in early 2024. Apart from regular DPS, the customers interested in savings as per the Islami Shariah can avail Islamic DPS of City Bank and Dhaka Bank. bKash has organised a view exchange programme today (Tuesday) with the stakeholders at a convention centre in the city to celebrate the success and discuss the way forward of digital savings by leveraging the collaboration between MFS and banking sector. The invited guests at the programme discussed how to make financial inclusion sustainable through collaboration and utilising each other’s expertise to cater the financial services at everyone’s doorstep. Md. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank addressed the event as the chief guest. A view-exchange session was participated by M Jamal Uddin, CEO & Managing Director of IDLC Finance, Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director & CEO of Mutual Trust Bank, Sheikh Mohammad Maroof, Managing Director & CEO of Dhaka Bank, Mashrur Arefin, Managing Director & CEO of City Bank, and Selim R.F. Hussain, Managing Director & CEO of BRAC Bank. Meanwhile, Ahsan Zaman Chowdhury, Managing Director & CEO, Trust Bank and Kamal Quadir, founder and CEO of bKash, also spoke at the event. Read: bKash payment now available at Balaka Executive Lounge of Shahjalal Airport In chief guest’s speech, Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Md. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury said, “Currently, upon maturity, DPS money is deposited into the customers’ bKash accounts without any hassle. On behalf of Bangladesh Bank and the people, I applaud bKash for this success. I also thank the renowned banks of the country who have joined with bKash’s initiative. The Payment Services Department (PSD) of the central bank is continuously working to make payments more efficient. bKash is also playing a role in this process for which I express my gratitude to the company.” CEO & Managing Director of IDLC Finance M Jamal Uddin said, “After integration with bKash, we have acquired 1.2 million customers so quickly which has never happened before. Before getting connected with bKash, we had no idea that the people of Bangladesh were that much interested in savings. We have seen that the victims of flood during August-September this year, withdrew their savings to meet emergency needs; and the interesting thing is when the situation came to normal, people have again started opening new savings.” Managing Director & CEO of Mutual Trust Bank Syed Mahbubur Rahman said, “The future is bleak without collaboration and co-creation. It is quite costly for banks to reach out to marginalised communities of their own. MFS has made this process easier. Such partnerships are assisting us to reach goals more efficiently.” Managing Director & CEO of Dhaka Bank Sheikh Mohammad Maroof, said, “Everyone has some sort of responsibility to improve the financial ecosystem in the country. To bring the financial services to common people, issues like regulations, policy framework, and cyber security need to be emphasised by the regulatory authorities. Besides, the government should motivate and incentivise people to raise their trust on digital transactions.” City Bank Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin said, “bKash has changed the landscape for banks in Bangladesh. Banking services are reaching people in all corners of the country through bank-MFS collaboration. Like City Bank’s Islamic banking, City Bank’s Islamic saving is available in the bKash app. It has been brought to the customers in compliance with complete Shariah-based rules vetted by the Sharia Advisory Board.” Managing Director & CEO of BRAC Bank Selim R. F. Hussain said, “Compared to many other countries, Bangladesh’s savings rate is quite low, which means there is room for more effort in this sector. When individuals save for various needs, it also becomes significant for the country’s economy. The more savings are there, banks can channel them into investments in various businesses. Investment should not only come from abroad, our local investment should come from our own savings.” Read more: Renata Pharmaceutical to use bKash’s ‘Cash Pickup’ service Speaking at the event, founder and CEO of bKash Kamal Quadir said, “Prosperity begins with savings. The day someone saves one taka, the future plan starts. That’s the beauty of savings on the bKash app. The policy support of Bangladesh Bank was crucial too in this regard. bKash would never be able to reach this point without the infrastructure of its partner banks. Currently, bKash customers can open monthly and weekly DPS with four commercial banks and a financial institution. Subjecting to DPS type and organisation, customers can save from as little as Tk 250 to Tk 10,000. By following some simple steps, anyone can open DPS by tapping on ‘Savings’ icon in the bKash app. Besides, upon maturity of the DPS, customers can cash out the money without any charge.    

Now, bKash users have access to the exclusive amenities of the Balaka Executive Lounge at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Whether it's a pre-flight relaxation or a layover, passengers can conveniently pay for services using bKash payments. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between InterContinental Dhaka and bKash, said a media release on Sunday. Ali Ahmmed, Chief Commercial Officer of bKash and Ashwani Nayar, General Manager of InterContinental Dhaka signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations at the hotel's executive office. Senior officials from both organisations were also present. Balaka Executive Lounge is the largest premium lounge at the Shahjalal International Airport, operated by InterContinental Dhaka. It offers a wide range of amenities, including a selection of premium food and beverages, workstations, high-speed Wi-Fi, shower facilities, wheelchair access, and dedicated luggage storage areas, providing travellers with a luxurious and comfortable environment to relax before and in-between their flights.  

Stakeholders voiced deep disappointment with the outcomes of COP29, particularly in relation to climate finance and the Just Transition Work Programme, during a post-UN Climate summit dialogue held on Tuesday in Dhaka. The event, organized by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh in cooperation with OSHE Foundation and YouthNet Global, brought together climate experts, trade unions, youth activists, and government representatives to reflect on the summit's shortcomings and look ahead to future climate negotiations. The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Felix Gerdes, Resident Representative of FES Bangladesh, underscored the persistent struggle for a fair transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Although COP29 was seen as a missed opportunity, panelists emphasized the ongoing need to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, including trade unions, indigenous groups, and youth, in shaping future climate policies. The failure to establish a meaningful Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), a key priority for many stakeholders, was the primary point of frustration. Despite this setback, there was a collective commitment to continue advocating for a Just Transition at future COPs, particularly at COP30 in Brazil. Many attendees vowed to push for concrete action to ensure that the most vulnerable communities are not left behind in the global shift towards renewable energy. Prof. Dr. Ainun Nishat, a leading climate expert, called for stronger multi-sectoral cooperation to address the climate crisis. He urged Bangladesh to integrate renewable energy into its national energy security plans and prioritize adaptation measures for vulnerable populations facing the worsening effects of climate change. “Climate action must be multi-sectoral,” Nishat said. “We need to ensure that our most vulnerable communities are protected.” Nayoka Martinez Backstrom, First Secretary for Environment and Climate at the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka, pointed out the significant barriers to securing global climate funds. She stressed the importance of credible data and national focal points to streamline access to climate financing. Without these mechanisms, securing funds for climate action remains a formidable challenge for many countries. Md Ziaul Haque, Director of Bangladesh’s Department of Environment, echoed the call for inclusivity in climate policy. He stressed that a Just Transition must address not only energy concerns but also social justice, worker rights, decent work, and loss and damage. “No one should be left behind,” he said, underlining the importance of integrating all voices, particularly from the most vulnerable communities, in climate policies. As a presenter, Dr. S M Morshed, Vice Chair of OSHE Foundation, highlighted the need for increased financial and technical support to achieve Just Transition goals. He also stressed the critical role of collaboration between governments, civil society, and international organizations in driving climate action. In a key note presentation, Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, expressed frustration at the lack of significant progress on the Just Transition Work Programme. He highlighted the previous year's exclusion of labor rights from the UNFCCC’s climate framework and the disappointment that these critical issues remained unaddressed at COP29. As a vocal advocate for youth-led climate action, Sohanur emphasized that young people must remain at the forefront of global climate negotiations. “The lack of progress at COP29 is a failure to protect future generations,” he stated. “It is crucial that youth continue to lead the charge and ensure that climate policies reflect the needs and voices of those most affected by climate change.” The event featured an interactive session where attendees had the chance to engage directly with panelists on topics such as the role of trade unions in climate negotiations and the integration of agricultural concerns into climate policy. Participants discussed the importance of creating actionable policies that support workers and communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Despite the frustrations with COP29, the event concluded with a message of optimism and renewed commitment to the fight for climate justice. Ms. Saki Rezwana, Chairperson of OSHE Foundation, reminded participants that the struggle for a Just Transition is far from over. “We must remain committed to collaboration and action to secure a just transition for all,” she said. “The struggle continues—our work is not done.” Looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil in 2025, many are already preparing to ensure that future climate negotiations lead to meaningful advancements for the world’s most vulnerable populations. The call for a Just Transition is louder than ever, and the momentum for change continues to build, despite the disappointments of COP29.

Excelerate Energy, Inc. has announced that it has delivered two cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the month of November to Petrobangla through the company’s two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) located offshore Moheshkhali Island. “Excelerate Energy is pleased to help fuel Bangladesh’s economy through its flexible infrastructure and the delivery of affordable LNG supply,” said Steven Kobos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Excelerate, in a statement on Sunday. “We are proud to have won this contract to provide LNG through an open and fair tender process where we offered the most competitive price,” he added. Excelerate Energy has operated LNG infrastructure in Bangladesh since 2018, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation. The Company’s FSRUs in the Bay of Bengal deliver approximately 34% of Bangladesh’s natural gas supply.  

A discussion session on Data Integrity for Development: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Bangladesh was held on Thursday in Dhaka. This event was jointly organized by UNDP’s Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) project and the Daily Prothom Alo, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), with research support from the Centre on Budget and Policy (CBP) at the University of Dhaka, said a media release issued on Thursday. Dr. Selim Raihan delivered the keynote speech at the beginning to set the tone for the discussion. The data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is being controlled by the highest level authority of the government and ministries. The reform requires blockage of ways in manipulation of data and giving BBS its own autonomy.  BBS also requires restructuring of its organogram, background checking of employees and hiring good statistician, he said. The dialogue was represented by non-state agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, private organizations, public sector and also representatives from UNDP. The discussion centered on several key concerns, including data manipulation, the effectiveness of current data collection methodologies, and the urgent need for an autonomous National Statistical Office (NSO) and an independent data commission. The discussion also covered the role of data integrity in national development, examining the consequences of data manipulation on policy decisions; current methodological gaps in data collection and areas of improvement, strategies to build a comprehensive data governance framework that includes an independent data commission. The experts also talked about media's role in promoting data integrity and public accountability; formulation of concrete steps and proposals to enhance BBS's credibility and trust among citizens.