Five entrepreneurs have received 'Fifth HSBC Export Excellence Awards' for their outstanding performance in overseas sales of merchandise.
Finance Minster AMA Muhith handed over the awards on Friday night at a city hotel for their leadership in contributing to its sustainable national growth.
The awardees are Exporter of the year in RMG and Textile sector-- DBL Group and Epyllion Group, Exporter of the year in Export Processing Zones sector Pacific Jeans Group, Exporters of the year in Traditional and Engineering sector Picard Bangladesh Ltd, and Exporter of the year in Small and Medium Enterprises sector Agrokagri Commodities.
Speaking as chief guest, Mr Muhith praised the exporters for their performance in export-led economic growth of the country.
He said the country's export earnings have more than doubled in last five years, which is expected to further grow in the years to come.
Mr Muhith also said globalisation has helped Bangladesh achieve success in various fields.
"It is already proved that we know how to add value in goods," he said.
"This is not only story of their success, this is something others to follow," the minister said urging other exporters to follow in the footsteps of the awardees.
He said the recognition is a lesson for everybody to get success in business.
Speaking as special guest Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said Bangladesh's economy, underpinned by strong external sector gains, has sustained a long spell of six-plus per cent annual average real GDP growth for more than decade, despite all external turbulences including the global economic crisis.
He said over the past several years, exporters have successfully affirmed a milestone for Bangladesh on the global trade map. In fiscal year 2013-14, export surged around 12 per cent, despite lack of local primary inputs.
He said the competitive efficiency of the country's apparel exports have outlasted the MFA phasing out and continued flourishing in the post-MFA quota-free WTO regime.
Besides apparels, the export basket has been widening with rising export of other manufacturing goods like shoes and leather products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, light engineering products including refrigerators and household appliances, horticultural products, processed foods, fisheries, handicrafts, marine vessels, IT-enabled services, the central bank chief said.
Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh, Francois de Maricourt said, "Financing trade has always been at the heart of HSBC's business. Our earliest customers were merchants looking to fund their trade in goods such as tea, cotton and silk. The exporters of Bangladesh are responsible for not only driving economic growth but also for establishing the 'Bangladesh' brand across the world's major developed and faster-growing markets."
Country Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Bangladesh, Bhuvnesh Khanna said, "HSBC's unparalleled network covers all the major trading nations of the world including Bangladesh. As one of the leading international trade banks in the world, we are well positioned to connect Bangladeshi exporters to rising global opportunities."
Deputy Managing Director of DBL Group Mohammed Abdul Quader received the award. DBL Group is one of the largest 100 per cent export oriented composite knit garments and textile manufacturers in Bangladesh.
Its products are exported to more than 45 countries in the world including Germany, Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Japan, Brazil, India and China. DBL was established in 1991. This is the third "HSBC Export Excellence Award" for DBL Group.
Managing Director of Epyllion Group Reaz Uddin Al-Mamoon received the award for his company. Established in 1994, Epyllion is renowned for its high quality products and efficient management. Epyllion exports to more than 10 countries including Germany, UK, Netherland, Sweden, France, USA, Mexico and India.
Director of Pacific Jeans Syed M Tanvir received the award. Pacific Jeans Group is specialised in producing premium quality jeans and casual wear products. Operating from Chittagong EPZ, the enterprise currently exports to more than 25 countries including Japan, USA, China, Korea, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada, Hong Kong and France. Pacific Jeans was established in 1984. This is the third "HSBC Export Excellence Award" for Pacific Jeans Group.
Managing Director of Picard Bangladesh Ltd Md Saiful Islam received the award for his company. A pioneer in producing consumer leather goods, Picard exports its products to more than 20 countries including Germany, Italy, Lithonia, Australia, Singapore and Japan. Picard Bangladesh was established in 1997.
Chief Executive Officer of AgroKagri Commodities Abdul Hamid received award for his company. Based in Chittagong, AgroKagri Commodities exports potatoes to many countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Senegal and China. The enterprise was established in 2011.
syful-islam@outlook.com