A total of nine business and non-business entities were honoured on Sunday by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Ltd in Bangladesh at the 2nd HSBC Business Excellence Awards.
Businesses from different sectors were recognized for their leadership and continuous contribution in promoting Bangladesh and enabling sustainable growth in the national economy even amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The nine winners included Pacific Jeans Group, Envoy Textiles, Pran-RFL Group, Hatil Complex, Summit Corporation, Malek Spinning, BibEAT Ltd, City Group, and Surokkha App.
The HSBC Business Excellence Awards is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and the British High Commission in Dhaka.
Pacific Jeans Group won in the category of export excellence in readymade garments (RMG) for having an annual export turnover of more than $50 million.
Envoy Textiles won in the category of export excellence in supply chain and backward linkage, for having an annual export turnover of more than $10 million.
Pran-RFL Group won in the category of export excellence in non-traditional and emerging sectors, for having an annual export turnover (non-RMG and non-textiles) of more than $3 million.
Hatil Complex won in the category of best in import substitution, for reducing and/or substituting imports for more than $10 million.
Summit Corporation was awarded as a leader in inbound investment and infrastructure for having foreign investments in the form of capital, technology solutions, etc.
Malek Spinning Group won for excellence in sustainability in their initiatives to achieve better environmental, social and governance parameters.
BiBEAT Ltd won for best in innovation and technology, for their significant impact in improving lives and the economy through the two aspects.
City Group received special achievement as an organization that made exemplary contributions to the country's socioeconomic growth, excellence in innovation, job creation and supporting the community.
Lastly, digital vaccine registration platform Surokkha won the Jury award for benefitting the people of the country and helping revive multiple major sectors.
Recipients of the awards included K Siddique-e-Rabbani, founder president of BiBEAT Ltd, Azizur Rahim Chowdhuy, director of Malek Spinning Group, Selim H Rahman, managing director of Hatil Furnitures, Syed M Tanvir, managing director of Pacific Jeans, Kutubuddin Ahmed, chairman of Envoy Textiles, Uzma Chowdhury, finance director of Pran-RFL Group, Latif Khan, vice chairman of Summit Group, Fazlur Rahman, chairman of City Group, and Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, director general in-charge, Department of ICT of the ICT Division under Posts, Communication and ICT Ministry.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi was the chief guest, while Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Md Jashim Uddin, president, FBCCI, Amanda Murphy, head of commercial banking, HSBC, South and Southeast Asia, Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer, HSBC Bangladesh and Kevin Green, country head of wholesale banking, HSBC Bangladesh, also spoke at the occasion.
"We implemented friendly policies so that companies can import medicines and other protective equipment for Covid-19 easily. We also took many major initiatives to protect our industries. The HSBC’s Business Excellence Awards is well aligned with our intention to recognize successful businesses and entrepreneurs who have significantly contributed to the country's growth," said Tipu Munshi.
ICT division has been actively participating in implementation of the national strategy of building ‘Digital Bangladesh’ with vision to expand and diversify the use of ICTs to establish a transparent, responsive and accountable government, develop skilled human resources, ensure cost-effective delivery of citizen-services through public-private partnerships and build e-government in Bangladesh, said ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak through a video message.
Highlighting the achievements and potential of Bangladesh’s innovative and resilient private sector is an excellent way to attract the foreign capital which will sustain growth through and beyond LDC graduation, said Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
"As the leading international bank in Bangladesh, HSBC is strongly committed to the development of Bangladesh and helping our clients connect with sustainable growth opportunities," said Amanda Murphy, head of commercial banking, HSBC, South and Southeast Asia.
"Businesses and Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh have been resilient during the pandemic and fueling the economic growth of Bangladesh. We are proud to recognize and encourage them for their perseverance and hard work," said Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer, HSBC Bangladesh.
The award was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and the British High Commission in Dhaka.