Standard Chartered Bangladesh hosted an International Investors and Lenders Roadshow to help Bangladesh businesses build lasting relationships with leading investment and lending institutions from the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.The roadshow was organised in collaboration with Standard Chartered’s regional Financing Solutions and Distributions Team, according to a SCB media releaseAs part of the roadshow, designated speakers outlined recent business developments, shared outlook for high-potential sectors, and showcased notable success stories in Bangladesh.All the speakers reflected on how despite current challenges, Bangladesh has maintained steady growth while exhibiting high levels of resilience and grit. Also read: SCB launches Green Zero-Coupon Bond in BangladeshChief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bangladesh Naser Ezaz Bijoy said that as a nation, Bangladesh is at a point of inflection. Stable macroeconomic indicators in conjunction with strong post-pandemic recovery measures have established our nation as one of two Asian economies delivering constant growth – despite current market uncertainties.“The future is rife with opportunities for growth and transformation. As the only international bank with universal capabilities, Standard Chartered Bangladesh is uniquely positioned to work with local actors, international stakeholders, and the Government to secure LDC graduation by 2026, and begin the journey towards becoming a high-income economy by 2041.”Managing Director, Client Coverage, Head of Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking, Standard Chartered Bangladesh Enamul Huque focused on the lucrative potential of investing in and lending to various sectors, all of which have demonstrated tremendous growth in recent years.These sectors include ready-made garments and textiles; light engineering; pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs); agriculture; power and energy; and the financial sector. Also read: SCB’s Covid-time support has helped RMG overcome challenges: Press ReleaseHead of Loan Syndicate & Distribution, South Asia, Standard Chartered Virendra Dhir spoke about the nation’s current opportunity spectrum pointing out that Bangladesh strikes the right balance on the risk reward scale.Managing Director & Head of Financial Markets, Standard Chartered Bangladesh Muhit Rahman reiterated that as a market, Bangladesh is primed for great success, and is full of exciting new opportunities.He also discussed that the nation’s external debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the region, providing Bangladesh with sufficient room for external borrowing in foreign currency to support the country’s development agenda.This was the first virtual iteration of Standard Chartered’s International Investors and Lenders Roadshow.Some 121 individuals, representing various lending organisations and institutional investment bodies from the Middle East, Europe and Asia, were present.

Standard Chartered Bank has arranged the first Green Zero-Coupon Bond in Bangladesh for Sajida Foundation.The proceeds of the bond will be utilised to finance lending to different environmentally friendly and energy efficient initiatives of the micro-credit and SME clients of Sajida Foundation. The total face value of the bond is Tk 1,000 million, according to a press release.The announcement was made at a ceremony arranged at the head office of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission.Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam was present as chief guest Also read: SCB’s Covid-time support has helped RMG overcome challenges: Press ReleaseChief Executive Officer of Sajida Foundation Zahida Fizza Kabir, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh Naser Ezaz Bijoy were present among others.Sajida Foundation will use the proceeds to finance expansion of their microcredit and SME lending portfolio, through investing in new and existing projects with environmental benefits.The issuance of this security will provide Sajida Foundation with an alternative source of fund, compared to a conventional term loan.Standard Chartered was the mandated lead arranger for the transaction.Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam said that Green bonds have the potential to become powerful financial tools in creating positive climate action for Bangladesh, with the growing demand for investments addressing climate risks.“We commend Sajida Foundation and Standard Chartered for leading the way for green finance in the MSME sector, setting a milestone in the development of vibrant green bond market in Bangladesh.”  Also read: SCB, UCEP launch second phase of project to aid Covid-affectedChief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh Naser Ezaz Bijoy said that Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress over the last decade. Yet, to achieve its collective ambition of transforming into a high-income country by 2041 while building resilience to climate change and other delta challenges, more of business-as-usual will not be enough.“Green finance holds verdant possibilities for the next phase of our growth journey,” he said.Standard Chartered is leading the debt capital market in Bangladesh as well as an acknowledged global leader in Asia, Africa and Middle East.Since pioneering in 1997, the capital markets unit of Standard Chartered Bank has put together over USD 7.00 Billion equivalent local and foreign currency syndicated loan/debt facilities in Power, Telecommunication, Infrastructure, Food & Beverage, Textile, Service and other key sectors.

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. 

Standard Chartered Bangladesh has won Excellence in Mastercard Credit Business for both its domestic and international card offerings. The Bank has been recognised for “Excellence in Mastercard Credit Business (Domestic) 2019-20” and “Excellence in Mastercard Credit Business (International) 2019-20” at the “Mastercard Excellence Award 2020” event held recently, according to a press release. PM's Advisor Salman Fazlur Rahman was present at the award giving ceremony that took place in the virtual platform as Chief Guest. Porush Singh, Division President, South Asia, Mastercard, senior representatives from leading financial institutions, dignitaries, chamber leaders, business community leaders and merchants from across the country attended the virtual programme. Speaking about the recognition, Sabbir Ahmed, Head of Retail Banking, Standard Chartered Bangladesh said, “Over the years, we've been consistently building on our pioneering legacy of having been the first to introduce Credit Cards in Bangladesh, with a wide range of credit card offerings that go beyond the ordinary and suit the evolving lifestyle needs of our clients.” Porush Singh, Division President, South Asia, Mastercard, said, “Bangladesh is a vibrant, dynamic market and an important part of our global footprint. It is also a market characterised by intensifying competition in the consumer finance space.” Standard Chartered was the first Bank in the country to introduce Credit Cards. The bank was also the first to launch ATMs in Bangladesh to promote alternate channel banking along with internet banking solutions for the retail customers. Continuing the pioneering streak, the Bank was the first to introduce an automated 24-hour call centre to address the needs of the clients. Standard Chartered is the only multinational universal Bank in the country, offering a full range of financial services to cater to its clients’ need.

Standard Chartered Bank has executed the country’s first blockchain transaction by issuing a Letter of Credit (LC) for Viyellatex Ltd over the Contour blockchain network.

Standard Chartered Bangladesh is working with SAJIDA Foundation to stand beside COVID-19 patients in Narayanganj. The SAJIDA Hospital Narayanganj, operated by SAJIDA Foundation, has been converted into a COVID-19 isolation centre, with a requisite supply of ICU facilities, ventilators, dialysis machines and PPE gear, according to a press release. The bank’s funds will go towards daily treatment cost of all COVID-19 patients kept in isolation at the hospital. Narayanganj is considered a coronavirus epicentre and has recorded the highest COVID-19 positive patients after Dhaka. The city is one of the major industrial centres of the country and greatly contributes to the economy, employment, and export earnings. The region accounts for 55 percent of the country’s total knitwear manufacturing. SAJIDA Foundation is one of the first responders to the COVID-19 crisis. The Foundation has served more than three million individuals through awareness raising, food and hygiene package distribution, agriculture value chain support, slum disinfection, portable handwashing device setup and PPE disbursement. SAJIDA’s two hospitals located in COVID-19 hotspots have treated over 15,000 patients since March. SAJIDA has also introduced an online COVID-19 symptom checker chatbot and dedicated hotline numbers to provide general and mental health consultation. Standard Chartered Bangladesh CEO Naser Ezaz Bijoy said: “We are delighted to partner with SAJIDA Foundation in supporting communities from a high-risk area. We are focused on providing wide-ranging and effective COVID-19 support programmes to vulnerable communities, as we strive to continue to live our ‘Here for good’ values.

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday handed over relief goods to Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam on behalf of Shippers Council of Bangladesh (SCB).   Khalid handed over 1,000 packets containing various items on the Bidyaniketan School premises at Banani in the capital, said a press release from Shipping Ministry.   Each packet contains 5kg rice, 1litre oil, 1kg lentil, salt and soap, it said.   SCB Chairman Rezaul Karim was present on the occasion, among others.   Earlier on April 12, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud handed over 2,000 packets of food to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.