“The future does belong to ICT.”
BRAC Bank’s managing director and CEO, Selim RF Hussain, reaffirmed his belief in front of an audience of over 200 at the 9th BRAC Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards 2024.
BRAC Bank believes in integrity, innovation, and inclusiveness. As a forerunner of digital advancement in Bangladesh, the bank is committed to empowering businesses, fueling economic growth, and transforming communities through technology, aiming to create a more connected future for Bangladesh.
To fulfil the commitment, each year, BRAC Bank, in collaboration with The Daily Star, celebrates the visionaries behind the innovations, recognizing that digital progression is key to building a more inclusive Bangladesh.
In 2024, the BRAC Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards held their 9th edition, during which some of the key players shaping Bangladesh’s digital ecosystem were honoured.
SSL Wireless, led by Ahmed Kamal Khan Chowdhury, was celebrated for its advanced ERP solutions, which improved the efficiency of over 250,000 merchants. The software developer and aggregator won an award in the ‘Digital Commerce’ category.
Shikho, an edtech startup founded by Shahir Chowdhury, is revolutionizing education with AI-driven, gamified learning for millions of students. Instasure, founded by Rafel Kabir, is making insurance more accessible through its innovative "insurance-as-a-service" model. The two companies won the award in the ‘ICT Startup’ category.
The KOW Company, led by Kowser Ahmed, was recognized with ‘ICT Solution Provider (International Market Focus)’ title for its cutting-edge work in content post-production and 3D innovation.
Logic Software Limited, led by Rumana Ahmed, was celebrated for its impactful ERP solutions across various industries. The software company bagged the award in the category of ‘ICT Solution Provider (Local Market Focus)’.
Sadia Haque, co-founder of ShareTrip, received ICT Woman of the Year for revolutionizing Bangladesh's travel industry through tech-based travel convenience. This category was introduced this year to recognize the extraordinary work of women in technology. The introduction of this new category aligns with the bank’s mission to empower women in Bangladesh.
As part of recognizing the individuals, Afeef Zaman, founder of ShopUp, was named ICT Business Person of the Year. A towering figure in Bangladesh’s ICT landscape, Afeef Zaman’s celebrated B2B commerce platform helps small retailers overcome supply chain challenges and receive bank financing. ShopUp is now a growing family of over 655,000 smallholder merchants solving everyday challenge in procuring and distributing goods.
The ICT Awards provide a platform for innovation and growth, encouraging further progress in the digital sector. BRAC Bank’s ongoing commitment to digital development through initiatives like its SME and digital finance program ensures continued support for the nation’s tech leaders.
Through collaboration with The Daily Star, BRAC Bank fosters a culture of innovation, providing a platform for tech leaders transforming sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and education. The awards highlight breakthrough solutions that inspire the next generation of digital entrepreneurs and engineers.
BRAC Bank’s Managing Director and CEO Selim RF Hussain said, “We are confident that banks in Bangladesh will continue to invest in and expand their digital banking capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve customer service, fraud detection and prevention, and become more cost-efficient.”
“We believe this kind of recognition from BRAC Bank and The Daily Star helps spark more energy and motivation in the
country’s ICT sector propelling the promising sector to new height,” he added.
The ICT Awards are more than a celebration—they are a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to propel Bangladesh’s digital evolution. BRAC Bank is committed to nurturing this transformation, honoring the visionary leaders shaping the future, and ensuring their success as they continue to pave the way for a digitally empowered nation.
BDST: 1624 HRS, JAN 16, 2025
MSK
