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 Bangladesh on Wednesday launched the country’s first Digital Trade Counter. This is an online “drop-off” counter, where clients can submit trade transaction applications and related documents, according to a press release. This innovative, secure and self-reliant platform is low on documentation and high on data security.  Read: Pathao brings down its commission on bike rides Through this solution, corporate clients can access a paperless, simpler, smarter application and management flow. Standard Chartered Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Naser Ezaz Bijoy said that Digitising trade is a critical lever to accelerate economic development and improve productivity. “In our mission to pioneer a frictionless banking experience, we have introduced yet another digital tool, the Digital Trade Counter. I am sure our clients will benefit from the seamless application process that this Digital Trade Counter will enable.” Read Robi to represent Bangladesh in Standard Chartered Trophy in UK The clients can upload their instructions to Bank through this counter from anywhere in the world. The data on the hard copy forms uploaded on this counter, automatically flows into the Bank’s system and gets registered. There is no “waiting time” for registering of the transaction. This is an interactive platform, that also informs the clients if any additional documents or information is required to complete the transaction and the clients can then respond to the Bank through this same channel. Read: COVID-19 pandemic: Standard Chartered Bangladesh contributes USD 1.6 million The Digital Trade Counter has other unique features that gives the clients many conveniences including shorter turn-around time, real-time transaction tracking, one single page to complete the entire application and enhanced security with an audit trail to ensure full transparency. The system comes with easy on-boarding that allows more and more clients to get fast access to this counter. This is another value addition by the Bank to promote trade digitization in the banking industry and enhance the trade experience for Standard Chartered Bank’s clients. Read Digital deposit collection: Standard Chartered partners with IDLC

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.

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.

The Standard Chartered Bangladesh, Kumudini Welfare Trust and City Group are working together to deliver essential food items to 25,000 people from 5,000 distressed families in Mirzapur of Tangail.

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.