HSBC launches ‘Joy of Giving' to bring smiles to 100,000 faces

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in Bangladesh has launched a corporate sustainability campaign under its "Joy of Giving" platform on Tuesday. 

The campaign is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), reads a press statement.

The initiative will aim to offer support to at least 100,000 people and beyond across the country whose lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Throughout the year, HSBC will continue such community initiatives under a broader platform of "Joy of Giving".

HSBC also wants to encourage other corporates and donors to contribute to the wider community by partnering with it using the platform.

The civil aviation ministry will assist in providing hygienically cooked food at cost price from selected restaurants under the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society will help distribute these meals to the most vulnerable and marginalised people throughout selected district towns in Bangladesh during the holy month of Ramadan. and it will also continue after Eid. 

Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar, MP, chairman, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society; Md Atiqul Huq, additional secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Ahmed Jamal, deputy governor, Bangladesh Bank; Md Mahbub ur Rahman, CEO, HSBC Bangladesh; Mostafa Kamal, chairman of Meghna Group of Industries; Fazlur Rahman, chairman of City Group, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman, PRAN RFL Group, and Md Feroz Salah Uddin, secretary general, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society also spoke and congratulated the HSBC initiative. 

The launching event was also attended by HSBC's valued customers, employees and invited media personnel. 

Speaking on the partnership, Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar, MP, said, "The general holidays sparked by Covid-19 threatens millions of livelihoods in the country.

"Thanks HSBC to come forward with its 'Joy of Giving' platform in partnership with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to find the best way  to help people survive this crisis."

A note from the Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir was read out to the audience. 

He appreciated the role of HSBC in partnering with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in this unique effort. 

Another message from Md. Mohibul Haque, senior secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, was read out to the audience. 

Commenting on the initiative, Md Mohibul Haque said, "Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is very happy to partner with HSBC and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in this noble initiative. 'Joy of Giving' is an effort to bring smile to the Covid-19 impacted Community."

He also wished success of this initiative.  

HSBC CEO Md Mahbub ur Rahman said, "Nothing feels more rewarding than being able to bring smile to peoples' faces.

"The purpose of these initiatives through our 'Joy of Giving' platform is to help our community at large and its people during the current challenging times." 

"We will continue to support our communities, customers and our employees to keep hope alive. I want to thank the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society for partnering with us in this initiative," he added. 

Globally, HSBC has introduced a number of special initiatives to support its customers across various markets. 

In addition, it announced a $25-million Covid-19 donation fund to support the international medical response, protect vulnerable people and ensure food security around the world, adds the press release.