2nd Bangladesh FinTech Summit 2020 begins in city

A two-day FinTech conference – Bangladesh FinTech Summit 2020 – has begun in the city on Friday with an aim to provide a collaborative approach for FinTech firms to share their knowledge, success and failure with present and aspiring FinTech entities.

Financial experts from home and abroad participated in the second edition of the event to lend their expertise so that Bangladesh can realise its true potentials in the field of financial serves, according to a press release.

The theme of this year's event is – Shaping Future of Finance for People. 

FinTech is a term used to describe financial technology – an industry encompassing any kind of technology in financial services – from businesses to consumers.

The day's event began at 3:30pm yesterday with the welcome speech by the founder of Bangladesh FinTech Forum, Shariful Islam.

In his address, Shariful emphasised the post-pandemic economic recovery and how FinTech can play a vital role in shaping it. 

Over the last couple of years, FinTech has gained momentum, he said, adding that viable technological innovations are coming up, and so financial issues could be addressed in a very effective manner.

"We hope this momentum will further grow in the next couple of years. Still, there are some shortcomings, but we need to timely address them and work collectively to move forward."

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Prof Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam made the opening speech at the summit.

In his address, Prof Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam said, "Financial sector is the driving force for the economy of a country. Bangladesh is gradually developing with a remarkable growth."

The summit consists of keynote sessions, insight sessions, panel discussions and case studies with the local and international business leaders.

According to the speakers, the auspicious event will pave the way for initiating policy dialogue among entrepreneurs for future FinTech companies to thrive sustainably and nurture FinTech ecosystem so that Bangladesh can receive the full benefit of Global FinTech drive and movement.    

The summit consists of keynote sessions, insight sessions and panel discussions.

The five keynote speakers are Tobias Puehse, vice-president, Product Management, Innovation and Customer Solutions, Asia Pacific, Mastercard; Carsten Hjelde, Impact Investor, Business Builder, Chairman, Acini Capital, Norway; Vijay Mani, Partner, Deloitte India; Rajeev Tummala, Director, Digital and Data Team, Markets and Securities Services Business, HSBC Singapore and Ananya Wahid Kader, Senior Operations Officer, Financial Institutions Group, IFC Asia and Pacific.

The eminent panel members of the summit are Mamun Rashid, Managing Partner, PwC Bangladesh;  Md Arfan Ali, President and Managing Director, Bank Asia Limited; Selim RF Hussain, Managing Director and CEO, BRAC Bank Limited; Rahel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO, Prime Bank Limited; Mashrur Arefin, Managing Director and CEO, The City Bank Limited; Ifty Islam, Group Chairman, Asian Tiger Capital Partners; Sonia Bashir Kabir, Founder, SBK Tech Ventures; Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager, Mastercard; Tanvir A Mishuk, Managing Director, Nagad; Mohammad Rashed, Convener, Digital Finance Forum Bangladesh (DFFB); Sajid Amit, Associate Professor and Director, EMBA Program, ULAB; Sajid Rahman, CEO, Telenor Health; Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i - Aspire to Innovate; Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank; Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO, Mutual Trust Bank Limited; MM Monirul Alam, Managing Director and CEO, Guardian Life Insurance Limited; Mahbubul Matin, President, Dotlines; Gazi Yaar Mohammed, EVP, Head of Agent Banking and MFS Division, One Bank Limited; Md Ashraful Alam, Country Lead - Digital, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF); Mominul Islam, Managing Director and CEO, IPDC Finance Limited; Rubayat Saleheen, Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing and Communications, Guardian Life Insurance Limited; Yeasin Arafat, Head of Digital Channel, Guardian Life Insurance Limited and Tarique A Bhuiyan, Chairman and Chief Technology Adviser, Hashkloud Pty Limited. 

The initiative -- Bangladesh FinTech Summit 2020 -- is affiliated with LankaBangla Finance Limited as a title partner powered by Guardian Life Insurance Limited in association with Nagad. 

The event was organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum.