Standard Chartered’s Digital Trade Counter (DTC) recently won  “Digital Experience of the Year – Banking” title at the Asian Experience Awards 2022. Launched in 2021, the Bank’s Digital Trade Counter became the first solution of its kind in Bangladesh. According to the Standard Chartered, through the Digital Trade Counter, clients are empowered to upload and track documents and trade financing applications at any time and from anywhere. Standard Chartered’s Digital Trade Counter exemplifies the Bank’s commitment to creating a best-in-class digital banking experience for clients and stakeholders. As an online drop-off solution, available on Straight2Bank NextGen, the DTC serves to simplify the document submission and status tracking process for both local and international businesses. Operating on a single online platform, Standard Chartered’s Digital Trade Counter significantly improves upon a client’s trade document submission experience, and in doing so allows new and existing clients to manage all their trade application needs with greater ease, efficiency, security, and transparency. The removal of time intensive manual processes promotes digital adoption while making all associated processes more sustainable. Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Charted Bangladesh, said,“Technology and digital platforms are increasingly enabling us to transcend traditional borders, connecting trade corridors with seamless flows and greater transparency – resulting in an elevated experience for all of our valued clients. Solutions like Standard Chartered’s Digital Trade Counter are yet another step in our mission to help create a more digital, low-carbon, and innovation-driven economy. We are grateful to our clients, regulators, and other stakeholder for making this accomplishment possible.” With over 117 years of uninterrupted presence in the nation, Standard Chartered is the only multinational universal bank in Bangladesh. The Bank is a committed partner in progress to Bangladesh, facilitating major investments in power, energy, transportation, and urban development. Standard Chartered accounted for a major share of all export and import financing, respectively, last year, as well as power generation financing and SME lending by foreign banks. The Asian Business Review is a regional magazine serving Asia's business community. The Asian Experience Awards are organised by The Asian Business Review. The Asian Experience Awards recognises projects and initiatives that deliver meaningful brand experiences for stakeholders across functions and industries.

Standard Chartered Bangladesh has partnered with Genex Infosys to engage with more clients. An agreement was recently signed in Dhaka. Genex – a publicly listed business process management and IT services company – will help Standard Chartered Bangladesh scale up its distribution network, reach new client segments more efficiently, and deliver banking products and services to a broader customer group. Sabbir Ahmed, head of consumer, private and business banking at Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said: "As we build a more collaborative ecosystem and foster more strategic partnerships, we aim to continue to deliver our world-class suite of banking solutions at an unprecedented scale in the coming years." Read: COVID-19 pandemic: Standard Chartered Bangladesh contributes USD 1.6 million   Prince Mojumder, chief executive officer of Genex, said: "We are excited to partner up with a reputed brand as Standard Chartered. We believe we can share our expertise in achieving the goal of our partner, and at the same time strengthen our foothold in the BFSI Sector."

Bangladesh remains a compelling growth story, despite the global pandemic, said Standard Chartered’s leading economists. The bank’s global research team was speaking at a media session held following the 2021 Bangladesh session of the Bank’s Global Research Briefing series. Planning Minister MA Mannan attended the event held recently as the chief guest while around 300 of the Bank’s clients joined via video conferencing, said a media release on Thursday. Eric Robertsen, Global Head of Research and Chief Strategist, Standard Chartered, said while the pace and distribution of global recovery remains highly uneven, Bangladesh has made a strong comeback with one of the highest GDP growths in the world in 2020. Read: Economists urge government to present pro-poor budget “A robust vaccination program and implementation of strategic infrastructure projects are expected to further increase momentum towards the nation’s LDC graduation”. Saurav Anand, Economist, South Asia, Standard Chartered said Bangladesh’s economy is set to accelerate after a speed bump, with GDP growth forecast at 5.5% in FY21 and 7.2% in FY22. “The momentum will be driven by an export demand recovery, strong remittance inflows and public investment. Policy support is a prerequisite for a smooth transition to middle-income status, with per capita GDP set to reach USD 3,000 by FY26.” Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bangladesh said the government of Bangladesh has navigated the internal and external challenges of the pandemic remarkably well. “The resilience of Bangladesh economy gives us cause for optimism. As the vaccination drive continues, the economy is set to accelerate, while lower debt levels compared to its peers provide medium term fiscal runway for growth,” Bijoy said. Read: Economists emphasise agro-based infrastructure He said there are significant opportunities for productivity gains through technology adoption, technology inclusiveness through mobile-based solutions and the ITES sector, while growth-supportive policies focus sectors will continue to spur private investment and FDI. Minister Mannan said the people of Bangladesh, the government and the business community have once again demonstrated tremendous resilience to ensure that while the shared development journey might have slowed, it has not been halted. “We remain as committed as ever in fostering a business-friendly climate, so that we can continue on our journey of inclusive progress and prosperity,” he said.

Standard Chartered has announced the launch of the second phase of re-skilling and employment reintegration programme for economically vulnerable individuals who have lost their livelihoods due to the impact of Covid-19, in partnership with UCEP. This second phase will build on the success of the first, through which around 300 trainees from Rajshahi and Rangpur have found meaningful employment after reskilling training, according to a press release. The current phase will work with 500 beneficiaries from Rajshahi and Khulna.  Through this programme, beneficiaries will improve their competencies through Apprenticeship Training, on technical and vocational areas that have been identified as skills gaps in both formal and informal sectors.  READ: SCB, SAJIDA team up to fight COVID-19 The demand-drive training will ensure that participants are able to meet the current and future demands of the job market.  Beneficiaries will also have the opportunity to appear for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment through Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) on National Technical & Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF) level, further enhancing their employability.  The graduates will then go through a job placement programme to complete their reintegration within the economy. Standard Chartered Bangladesh CEO Naser Ezaz Bijoy said, Covid-19 is having a disproportionate impact on the economically vulnerable, for whom there is no distinction between life and livelihood.  "After the resounding success of the first phase, we are delighted to offer the second edition of re-skilling and re-integration program for a larger cohort. This is in addition to the recently launched similar initiative that supports returnee migrant workers."  The challenge in front of us is mammoth, which is why we are sharing our tried and tested interventions as widely as possible, so that other socially responsible organisations can build on them and be a force for good by standing next to the communities in need, he added. Executive Director of UCEP Bangladesh Md. Abdul Karim expressed that the commitment of UCEP Bangladesh to equip the young adults as “productive and progressive workforce” to better contribute to the economic growth of the country. READ: SCB, Kumudini, City Group delivering food to 25,000 families He emphasized the value of the expanded partnership with Standard Chartered Bank which will help job-lost young people and their families through re-skilling and reintegration in the skill sector. 

Standard Chartered Bangladesh has announced a Tk 135 million (USD 1.6 million) strategic action plan that supports healthcare and immediate assistance, regenerate livelihood and catalyse long-term growth. The new measures announced for 2021 included immediate assistance through emergency food relief distribution for Covid-19 affected marginalised communities, health support, livelihood regeneration and long-term growth catalysis through education support programme. Medical equipment for healthcare facilities and frontline health workers, Oxygen concentrators for impacted patients, medical treatment support for critically impacted patients and awareness building drive focusing on prevention of and protection from Covid-19, and post-Covid-19 health care are included under the health support. Also read: FinanceAsia Awards: SCB Bangladesh wins Best International Bank Standard Chartered Bangladesh CEO Naser Ezaz Bijoy said that helping communities rise above Covid-19 remains as important as ever. "This is why we are announcing another comprehensive, multi-pronged, Covid-19 response plan for the community, just as we did last year,” he said. He said that the plan builds on its extensive initiatives from 2020, but is more diverse in scope, which we believe will be more impactful.” Also read: SCB wins Excellence in Mastercard Credit Business Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Standard Chartered Bangladesh Bitopi Das Chowdhury said, “The pandemic has reshaped our lives permanently and will leave lasting impacts on all of us.” “While addressing the immediate needs of the COVID affected people will continue to be our priority,” he said. 

Helping others is recommended and rewarded in Islam and even more so during times of need, Standard Chartered Saadiq's Shariah Supervisory Committee member Dr. Aznan Hasan said while explaining how aspects of faith such as Sadaqa can be an Islamic answer to the pandemic. Dr Aznan, from Malaysia, was addressing the webinar "Understanding how Sadaqa can be an Islamic response to the pandemic," recently hosted by Standard Chartered Bangladesh. Read 7 lakh bKash customers donate Tk20 crore to 50 organisations Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said: "It is our privilege to introduce a new product in the Saadiq line: the 'Saadiq Sadaqa Account' which is a first in the market." "Sadaqa aims to support various local charitable causes such as female well-being, education for underprivileged children, climate change and health care." Read Trump lawyer blurs lines between charity and profit "Clients will be able to select the charity of their choice at the time of opening a deposit account with Standard Chartered. The profit earned from that account will go to the pre-assigned charity organisation in compliance with Shariah principles," Naser said.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has recommended Bangladesh as a golden investment destination to potential Chinese investors.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Monday said Bangladesh needs more know-how, more jobs and more capital to maintain the remarkable growth noting that FDI can provide that.   “Foreign investments can help upskill a workforce," he said mentioning that Bangladesh has done remarkably well in the 50 years since independence – something the country can be genuinely proud of.