Foodpanda has won this national Digital Bangladesh Award in the institutional category for its contribution in facilitating the digital transformation of the country and enabling income opportunities for thousands of youths. The award was handed over to Syeda Ambareen Reza, Co-founder and MD and Zubair B A Siddiky, Co-founder and CEO of foodpanda Bangladesh by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently at “Digital Bangladesh Award 2022” event at BICC, which was well attended by ministers, parliament members, senior secretaries and industry leaders. Read more: Foodpanda launches 'pandapro' subscription in Bangladesh The event was chaired by State Minister of Information and Communication Technology Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The e-commerce company started its journey in Bangladesh in 2013 and has been successful in creating a strong digital ecosystem with many stakeholders. Foodpanda is the leading marketplace that connects restaurants and shops with customers and delivery partners. It enables SME and large restaurant partners, shops and home chefs to have a digital footprint without the risks of high investments, said a press release. The restaurant industry has flourished in the last seven years, bolstered by the marketplace that the platform has cultivated. Customers are benefited by having food, groceries, medicine and more delivered right to their doorsteps within 30 minutes. Freelance rider partners are presented with an opportunity to earn a livelihood in a flexible way along with access to key benefits such as insurance, training, loan and online education. With a presence in 64 districts across the country, foodpanda has expanded business units and created over one million direct and indirect earning opportunities in the tech-based delivery ecosystem. Read more: Foodpanda offers special discount on corporate vouchers Alongside, foodpanda, over the years, has also taken numerous initiatives to foster the growth of women entrepreneurs. The Homechef program has more than 3000 home chefs currently active on the platform, of which 70 percent are women. Beside working on seven SDG goals, the platform has taken many initiatives to minimize food wastage in partnership with several NGOs including Bidyanondo Foundation. Ambareen Reza, Co-founder and MD and Zubair B A Siddiky, Co-founder and CEO of foodpanda Bangladesh thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and the organizers for recognising the company’s efforts to facilitate digital inclusion and empowering the youth and SMEs. Upon winning the award, Co-founder and CEO, Zubair B A Siddiky said, “Foodpanda is at the forefront of building a digital ecosystem. We are committed to continue our contributions in building a digitally inclusive Bangladesh while empowering the youth with income opportunities and supporting the digitization of restaurants, shops, SMEs and home chefs with a marketplace to access millions of customers. I believe this industry holds immense possibility to become a significant part of the country’s continuous economic growth and build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.”