Corporate
JCI Dhaka Founders Reveals 2024 Leadership Team
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Dhaka Founders has unveiled its new committee for the year 2024. This executive committee’s formation occurred during the annual general meeting held at a prestigious hotel in the capital city.
Nahid Hasan assumes the role of President for the upcoming one-year term at JCI Dhaka Founders. The executive committee also features key members, including M Asif Rahman (Founding President), Saidur Mamun Khan (EVP), Razia Sultana, Ashikul Islam Tamal, and Amjad Shuvo (VP). Talukdar M Shabbir serves as the General Secretary, Nipon Roy as the Treasurer, and Afshana Rahman Dia as GLC. Shahadat Hossain Mazumdar, in the role of Training Commissioner, is joined by local directors Nahar Jannat, Raihan Hussain, and Saiful Rahman. Abu Huraira Bin Aman, Rifatul Haque, SM Mehedi Hasan, and Nazmus Shakib assume the roles of Local Committee Chairs.
Fazle Munim, President of BDC at JCI Bangladesh, presided over the entire election program as the Election Commissioner.
Preceding the announcement of the new executive committee for JCI Dhaka Founders, the organization conducted its 2023 annual general meeting, chaired by M Asif M Rahman, the Founding Local President of JCI Dhaka Founders. During this meeting, Asif Rahman expressed gratitude to the current committee and its members, extending his best wishes to the forthcoming committee.
The newly elected Local President, Nahid Hasan, declared that the youth entrepreneurs of JCI Dhaka Founders would work collectively to identify and address persistent challenges, actively contributing to national development goals set by the government. Nahid Hasan, Founder of Bizcope, is a tech entrepreneur with expertise in digital marketing and mentorship in the field.
The event was attended by JCI Bangladesh’s National President, Ziaul Haque, along with esteemed members of the National Committee, ordinary members of JCI Dhaka Founders, and members from other chapters.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global organization for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 40, operating in over 120 countries. With a membership of more than 2 million young individuals worldwide, JCI’s international headquarters are situated in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. In Bangladesh, JCI functions through 38 local chapters.
Startup Bangladesh Limited has unveiled a strategic investment of BDT 1 crore in Pulse Tech Ltd, a move set to revolutionize digital healthcare in Bangladesh. This significant investment signals a profound commitment to bolstering the nation’s digital healthcare sector.
During a formal signing ceremony in Dhaka, attended by key figures including Md. Shamsul Arefin, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Startup Bangladesh, and Senior Secretary of the ICT Division, alongside Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh, the investment was officially announced. Also present were Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, Co-founder and Managing Director, and Kazi Ashikur Rasul, Co-founder and CEO of Pulse Tech Ltd, along with senior management.
Pulse Tech Ltd. is renowned for its innovative solutions tailored for the retail pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh. Their comprehensive B2B SaaS platform empowers retail pharmacies to efficiently source products, manage inventory, and track transactions in a seamless digital environment. With a mission to eliminate counterfeit and expired products from the market, Pulse Tech aims to transform retail pharmacies into comprehensive healthcare hubs, offering services such as diagnostic test booking, telemedicine, and medicine supply.
Md. Shamsul Arefin underscored the strategic importance of the investment, stating, “Investing in Pulse Tech Ltd. is a strategic move to enhance our national healthcare infrastructure. Through this investment, we aim to enable Pulse Tech to innovate and expand its services in the retail pharma industry, crucial for advancing healthcare technology in Bangladesh.”
Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh, echoed this sentiment, expressing, “We believe in the transformative potential of technology and are proud to partner with Pulse Tech as they drive digital healthcare innovation. Our investment reflects our confidence in their vision and our commitment to nurturing startups vital for technological advancement and economic growth.”
With this injection of capital, Pulse Tech is poised to accelerate technology development and expand operations, focusing on improving the efficiency of retail pharmacies and accessibility of authentic medicines nationwide. The investment from Startup Bangladesh is anticipated to have a significant impact on the healthcare sector, providing state-of-the-art solutions to meet the evolving needs of the Bangladeshi population.
Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, Co-founder and Managing Director of Pulse Tech Ltd., expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Startup Bangladesh as our newest investor. Their guidance and support will be instrumental in helping us achieve our organizational goals and positively impact Bangladesh’s retail pharmaceutical industry and healthcare landscape.”
This strategic alliance between Startup Bangladesh and Pulse Tech Ltd. marks a pivotal step towards a technologically advanced and health-conscious Bangladesh.
Following the merger of EXIM and Padma, BASIC Bank is now set to merge with City Bank. The decision was reached during a meeting held today (8 April) at the Bangladesh Bank. Sources within the central bank revealed that the merger will be voluntary. This significant decision emerged from a meeting between Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar and City Bank’s Chairman Aziz Al Qaiser and Managing Director (MD) Mashrur Arefin.
Previously, on 19 March, the board of City Bank received a recommendation to merge with Basic Bank. Subsequently, discussions ensued between the boards of both City Bank and Basic Bank. Officials from both banks engaged in internal discussions regarding this matter. Despite the merger, sources indicate that the two banks will continue to report separate financials for the next three years.
It’s Humanity Foundation (IHF) recently held its 7th Annual Iftar event at Aloki, located on the Gulshan – Tejgaon Link Road in Dhaka. This yearly gathering, known as the Annual Iftar event, serves as a significant platform for stakeholders to engage with children, gain insights into their experiences, and deepen their understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. The event brought together students from IHF School, sponsor parents, internal and external stakeholders, and well-wishers, all coming together to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan.
The event was inaugurated by Md. Adnan Hossain, Founder and Executive Director of IHF, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizations that have supported IHF throughout its journey. Representatives from various organizations also attended, along with notable personalities from the local community. Hossain emphasized the importance of dedication and support in inspiring hope for a better world, stating, “Your actions are changing lives, and together, we can make education a reality for every child.”
Among the esteemed guests were Clinton Pobke & his Spouse, Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission Bangladesh; Md Moinul Huq, Citi Country Officer (CCO) at Citibank NA, Bangladesh; Sabrina Islam, Chairman of SSLCommerz; Dr. David Dowland, Registrar of BRAC University; Shammi Islam Nila, Miss World Bangladesh, and many others. They praised the efforts of IHF and encouraged continued support for the cause.
Ahmed Atifur Rahman, Associate Director at Standard Chartered Bank and Advisor of It’s Humanity Foundation, shared his deep connection with the organization’s cause, stating, “Witnessing the progress and impact IHF has made over the years fills me with immense pride. We strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of marginalized communities, and I am honored to be a part of this journey towards positive change.”
The success of the event was made possible through the generous support of various partners, including Aastha Trust, Green Delta Insurance, Uttara Finance and Investments Limited, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Techno Drugs Ltd, RUN Leather, Perfetti Van Melle, Finis, Bengal Express, HER NET, Nestle, Savoy, Limerence Photographs, Holago, and Protibha Flavours.
