Bangladesh Fintech Forum hosted the Mastercard Presents 4th Bangladesh Fintech Summit Powered by bKash Limited & in Association with Mutual Trust Bank Limited, upay, BASIS & The Daily Star at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden on August 26, 2023 (Saturday). Organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum, the day-long summit brought together industry professionals, decision-makers, and thought leaders from the banking and finance sector at home and abroad to discuss and share insights on the profoundly emerging fintech industry in Bangladesh.
This year, the Summit is designed around the core vision of “Shaping Bangladesh Fintech Ecosystem for the Future”, with aims to explore the transformative potential of financial technology in Bangladesh and lay the groundwork for a robust and innovative fintech ecosystem.
The summit featured an engaging agenda comprising 04 Keynote Sessions, 03 Panel Discussions, 04 Insight Sessions, 01 Case Study, 01 Fireside Chat and 01 Igniting conversation. The distinguished discussions together have raised significant talking points and policy suggestions while shaping a framework for the fintech stakeholders of the country.
The summit began with the Opening Speech of Shariful Islam, Founder, Bangladesh Fintech Forum and Founder and Managing Director, Bangladesh Brand Forum. Addressing the occasion, Shariful Islam said, “The advancement of Bangladesh’ fintech sector is crucial for the Smart Bangladesh vision. Fintech is a very important component of the Smart Economy, one of the four pillars of the Smart Bangladesh vision. This platform is dedicated to strengthening the fintech ecosystem in Bangladesh with policy advocacy and engagements. I firmly believe today’s valuable discussions will open new frontiers for the emerging fintech industry of Bangladesh.”
The discussions revolved around multifaceted and timely topics like Redefining Banking in the Digital Age, Emerging Trends and Predictions of Fintech for Paving the Path for Fintech, Innovation and Growth in Bangladesh, The Role of Blockchain in Fintech, How Smart Bangladesh approach can drive Inclusive Growth for Bangladesh and others.
The keynote speakers of the summit were: Arfan Ali, Chairperson, Zaytoon Business Consultants; Chairman, Onkur Digital Limited; Benjamin Quinlan, CEO & Managing Partner, Quinlan & Associates, Chair – Innovation & Technology Committee, AustCham Hong Kong; Mamun Rashid, Country Clients and Markets Lead, PwC Bangladesh; and Hrushikesh Mehta, Senior Vice President – Financial Services, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
Some of the other respected discussants who graced the event with their thoughts and experiences, included Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Vice Chairman, iDEA Foundation, Smart Bangladesh Network, Former Principal Secretary; Kamal Quadir, Founder & CEO, bKash Limited, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Founder and Managing Partner, BuildCon Consultancies Limited; Kazi Mahmood Sattar, Chairman, RSA Advisory Ltd.; Asif Ibrahim, Chairman, Chittagong Stock Exchange; Anis A. Khan, Chairman, AAZ & Partners; Veteran Banking and Financial Professional; Farzanah Chowdhury, Chartered Insurer ACII (UK); Managing Director & CEO, Green Delta Insurance Company Limited.
Bangladesh Fintech Forum initiated the Mastercard Presents 4th Bangladesh Fintech Summit Powered by bKash Limited & in Association with Mutual Trust Bank Limited, upay, BASIS & The Daily Star. The event was organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum. Strategic Partner: Aspire to Innovate (a2i), Innovation and Development Associates (iDEA) Foundation, Smart Bangladesh Network; Innovation Partner – Bangladesh Innovation Conclave; Hospitality Partner–Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden; Technology Partner – aamra Technologies Limited and PR partner – Backpage PR.
