HSBC upbeat on B\\\'desh trade sector

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd (HSBC) in Bangladesh on Tuesday launched the sixth "HSBC Export Excellence Awards" to honour the exporters for their contribution to the country's sustainable economic growth.  
The announcement came at a press conference held at a city hotel.
Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh, Francois de Maricourt said: "Our bank has 150 years of experience in facilitating global trade and this enables us to help businesses thrive, connect to global opportunities."
"We are pleased to provide a platform for Bangladeshi exporters to showcase their capabilities and global potential," he said.
Citing from the HSBC's latest global research and global connections report, he said the Bangladeshi economy has shown tremendous resilience amidst the on-and-off political unrest in the past few years.
"Despite this, HSBC is optimistic about Bangladesh's trade sector as the country has a strong foothold in the global market for ready-made garments and also expects this to continue, with around 80 per cent of export growth between 2015-30 coming from clothing and apparel," he said.
He said agriculture is likely to continue to be Bangladesh's second largest export sector contributing to around 7.0 per cent of the forecast increase in exports in between 2015-30.
One of the four categories of the awards is: Exporter of the Year - RMG and Textiles: Group A- annual export turnover US$50 million or more and Group B- annual export turnover less than US$50 million.
Other three categories are: Exporter of the Year- EPZ enterprises: companies in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) of Bangladesh, Exporter of the Year-traditional and emerging sectors: annual export turnover (non-RMG and non-Textiles) US$5 million or more, and Exporter of the Year- SMEs: annual export turnover (non-RMG and non-textiles) less than US$5 million, according to HSBC official announcement.
The interested participants will have to submit forms to the Bangladesh Brand Forum office between August 11 and September 17 and forms are available on internet, the bank's officials said.
Managing Director and Country Head of Commercial Banking in HSBC, Bangladesh Bhuvnesh Khanna said, "The excellence of entrepreneurs of Bangladesh is often best displayed by the exporters."
He said the exporters make Bangladesh more cosmopolitan.
He said the journey of Bangladeshi export has been a success story and the relentless efforts of exporters helped Bangladesh recognise as a country of great potentials across the globe.
"HSBC Export Excellence Awards is our humble way of recognising their contribution and showcasing their excellence," he added.
HSBC has been organising the award programme since 2010. This is one of the most recognised awards in Bangladesh designed to encourage entrepreneurship in the country.
It is the only non-government programme in Bangladesh to recognise the potential and prospect of exports, officials said.
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