Bangladesh Brand Forum, in collaboration with Prime Bank PLC, bKash Limited, and Team Group BD, successfully hosted the NRB Conclave 2024 on Sunday (29 December, 2024) at the Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka. With the theme “Transforming Bangladesh Through Knowledge Remittance,” the event aimed to establish a structured framework for leveraging the intellectual capital of Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) to drive national progress.
The initiative emphasized mobilizing NRBs to enhance investment, technology, skill development, and nation branding while fostering innovation and sustainable growth. The agenda included three keynote sessions, four panel discussions, a project-launching session, and a dedicated segment on national branding. These activities aimed to address key challenges and generate actionable strategies to involve NRBs in shaping the nation’s future.
The event commenced with an opening address by Jashim Uddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the Chief Guest. He underscored the theme’s significance, noting that NRBs could play a transformative role in revolutionizing sectors like investment, technology, and nation branding. The concluding remarks were delivered by Md. Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who emphasized the importance of upskilling the workforce, enhancing ICT infrastructure, and rebranding Bangladesh as a global hub for innovation and partnerships.
Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, highlighted in his welcome speech that the event was inspired by the potential of Bangladesh’s diaspora, comprising over 10 million NRBs excelling across industries globally.
Keynote speakers included:
- Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy on International Affairs, who discussed “The New Bangladesh Narrative.”
- Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, who explored “The Future of Bangladesh’s Economy and NRB Engagement.”
- Shariar Pavel, Chief Experience Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group, UAE, who shared insights on leveraging NRB expertise for development.
The four-panel discussions centered on:
- Reshaping skill development through NRB involvement.
- NRB-driven investment in emerging sectors.
- Inclusive technological growth with NRB contributions.
- Public-private collaboration for nation branding.
These discussions involved policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators who mapped strategies for integrating NRBs into Bangladesh’s growth trajectory.
A significant highlight was the launch of the Future City Competition USA in collaboration with NYBSYS and Racson USA. This initiative is poised to drive urban innovation and transformation by engaging NRBs in groundbreaking development projects.
The conclave featured insights from renowned figures, including:
- Dr. Syed Ferhat Anvar, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University.
- Yasir Azman, CEO, Grameenphone Ltd.
- Sylvana Q. Sinha, Founder & CEO, Praava Health.
- Mominul Islam, Chairman, Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC.
- Ata Satdar, former regional CEO of Reckitt.
- Ashikur Rahman, Consultant, World Bank.
The NRB Conclave 2024, presented by Prime Bank PLC and powered by bKash and Team Group BD, marked a bold step in harnessing the potential of Bangladesh’s diaspora. With the support of knowledge partner Marketing Society of Bangladesh (MSB), academic partner BBF Academy, and innovation partner Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, the event set the stage for collaborative efforts that promise to position Bangladesh as a competitive global player in the digital age.
Through innovation, investment, and impactful collaborations, the conclave aspires to elevate Bangladesh’s global standing while driving sustainable national development.
