With the theme ‘Transforming Bangladesh through Knowledge Remittance’, the first ever NRB Conclave held today at Le Méridien Dhaka. An initiative of Bangladesh Brand Forum, the conclave explored models and approaches to engage the Non Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) to contribute to the national economy of Bangladesh.
Since the independence, the Non Resident Bangladeshis have taken giant strides and are operating at the highest level in the country where they reside. And they feel very passionate about Bangladesh and explore avenue to engage, assist and support in the journey of Bangladesh transformation. NRB Conclave was initiated by Bangladesh Brand Forum to create a knowledge platform to pursue that goal and assist the NRBs so that they can get connected to Bangladesh.
The momentous occasion was attended by around 300 invited guests including distinguished Non Resident Bangladeshis, Bangladeshi policy makers, academicians, artists, corporate professionals and many more. Speaking at the occasion Mr Shariful Islam, Founder & Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum said, “Bangladesh is at a very critical stage of development and the next 10 years will be very critical as a nation. We must apply the most cutting edge thinking, adapt the latest technology and apply new models to make a quantum jump in development. NRBs through Knowledge remittance can make a crucial contribution in this journey.”
NRB Conclave was designed with 3 keynote sessions, 4 panel discussions, and 3 insight sessions. Besides, there was an exclusive showcasing of 8 divisions’ branding, 10 years journey of Bangladesh Brand Forum, and comparison of past Best Brand Award winners. Also, there was a musical performance by Shondhi, Sovvota and Shovon.
The keynote sessions were focusing on the topics – The Global Perspective, The Bangladesh Economic Story, Story of an NRB Who Made it in Bangladesh. The keynotes were presented by, respectively, Lutfey Siddiqi CFA– Governor & Visiting Professor-in-Practice, London School of Economics, Global Future Council & Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum, Advisory Council, Centre for Governance, NUS Business School; Faisal Ahmed – Chief Economist, Bangladesh Bank; and Humayun Rashid, Managing Director, Energypac Power Generation Limited.
Three insight sessions were taken by Arif Dowla, Managing Director, ACI Limited; Sylvana Q. Sinha, Esq, Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Praava Health; Rumana Selim CRSP, Vice President, Bangladeshi Canadian – Canadian Bangladeshi (BCCB), Health & Safety Consultant, Centennial College, Canada. The sessions focused on the topics, respectively, Bangladesh Potential – Role of Diaspora, The Story of Praava Health, and Message from BCCB.
Four panel discussions took place having 21 experts as the panelists. The discussion focused on the topics – Investment & NRB Challenges, The Culture Story of Bangladesh, NRB and Future Skill Development, NRB and Transforming the 8 Divisions through Innovation.
The first panel discussion ‘Investment & NRB Challenges’ comprised of Kazi M. Aminul Islam– Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); Faisal Ahmed– Chief Economist, Bangladesh Bank; Enam Ali MBE, FIH- Founder and Director, The British Curry Awards, Chairman, iOn Television Europe; Md. Mehmood Husain, Managing Director & CEO, NRB Bank Ltd.; Mohammed Ayub, Additional Secretary, Executive Member, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA); and Lutfey Siddiqi CFA, Governor & Visiting Processor-in-Practice, London School of Economics.
The second panel discussion ‘The Culture Story of Bangladesh’ comprised of Kamar Ahmed Saimon, Film-maker; Mehreen Mahmud, Music Artist; Nazia Andaleeb Preema, Visual Artist, Founder, Bangladesh Creative Forum, President, WIL (Women in Leadership); and Syed Gousul Alam Shaon, Managing Partner & Country Head, Grey Advertising Bangladesh Ltd., Story & Screenplay, Aynabaji.
The third panel discussion ‘NRB and Future Skill Development’ comprised of – Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, BRAC University; Dr. Milton Hasnat, Senior Lecturer & Epidemiologist, Australia; Moushumi M. Khan, JD, MPA, Country Director, The Foundation for Charitable Activities in Bangladesh (FCAB); M. Zulfiquar Hussain, CEO & Lead Consultant, grow n excel; Shayaan Seraj, Group Director, Strategy, Marketing & Operations, Aqua Paints, Elite Steel (Elite Group).
The fourth Panel discussion ‘NRB and Transforming the 8 Divisions through Innovation’ comprised of Nazim Farhan Choudhury, Chief Executive Officer, Colours FM; Kawser Jamal, Public Safety Technology Security Expert & Entrepreneur, California, USA; Kazi Monirul Kabir, Managing Director & Chief Innovation Officer, Spider Digital Commerce; Minhaz Anwar, Chief StoryTeller, BetterStories Asia, Head of GP Accelerator, Grameenphone Accelerator; Tina Jabeen, Investment Advisor, Startup Bangladesh, ICT, Government of Bangladesh; and Tousif Ishtiaque, Project Leader, The Boston Consulting Group.
The NRB Conclave is an initiative of Bangladesh Brand Forum. The initiative is Supported by Energypac, Strategic Partners are Women In Leadership, Bangladesh Creative Forum, The Daily Star, BCCB, and NRB Global Business, Event Partner Le Méridien, Media Partner Ekattor TV and Samakal, Digital Content Partner is ICE Business Times, Digital Media Partner Bangla Tribune, Radio Partner Radio Today and PR Partner Masthead PR.
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