Corporate
Nagad Offers Chance to Win Dhaka Land in New Campaign
Nagad, the leading mobile financial service provider in Bangladesh, has unveiled its latest campaign, “Nagad e Jomi,” offering customers the opportunity to win prime land in Dhaka. Building on the success of last year’s BMW giveaway, this campaign promises a staggering Taka 20 crore worth of mega gifts alongside the coveted land prize.
The campaign, touted as the country’s largest, introduces a simple three-step process for users to participate in the contest and vie for their dream plots in Dhaka. Partnering with renowned brands such as Apex Footwear, Bay Emporium, and Samsung, Nagad aims to elevate customer experience while rewarding loyalty.
Participants can qualify for the campaign by engaging in various transactions, including mobile recharges, payments, and fund transfers, with a minimum threshold. Once eligible, users can form teams of three, ensuring active participation throughout the campaign duration to remain in contention for the land prize.
In addition to land, customers stand to benefit from 100 percent cashback and a chance to win an array of prizes, including motorbikes, TVs, smartphones, and more, on individual transactions. Remittance recipients can also secure land by receiving a minimum of Taka 5,000 through Nagad.
Group formation and management are facilitated through the Nagad app or SMS, enabling users to create and join multiple groups effortlessly. Group leaders receive rewards for successful group creation and must ensure regular transaction activity to maintain eligibility for the campaign.
To provide transparency and track group progress, leaders receive access codes to log into the microsite, where leaderboards are updated regularly. The campaign, commencing on March 15 and running until June 30, aims to fulfill the aspirations of individuals aspiring to own land in Dhaka, as highlighted by Md Shihab Uddin Chowdhury, Deputy Managing Director of Nagad Ltd.
Chowdhury emphasized Nagad’s commitment to turning dreams into reality and empowering customers through this festival of rewards and opportunities. With “Nagad e Jomi,” Nagad envisions making land ownership in Dhaka a reality for many, while offering substantial rewards to enhance financial well-being and celebrate customer loyalty.
Grameenphone (GP) and bKash Partner to Simplify Financial Inclusion
Grameenphone, a leading smart connectivity provider in Bangladesh, has teamed up with bKash, the country’s largest Mobile Financial Service (MFS) provider, to enable seamless bKash account openings directly through the MyGP app. This innovative feature sets a new standard for accessibility and ease of use in mobile financial services.
The integration within the MyGP app marks a pioneering initiative, being the first of its kind in Bangladesh. This collaboration reinforces Grameenphone and bKash as major innovators in their respective industries. According to a press release, this partnership allows customers to register for bKash accounts by simply clicking on a dedicated section within the MyGP app.
With user consent and a few verifications, customers are swiftly directed to the bKash registration platform, where they can complete the eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process. This streamlined procedure enables customers to quickly access a wide range of financial services offered by bKash. Initially, this service is available to Android users through the MyGP app.
New customers who open a bKash account via the MyGP app will receive a bonus of up to Taka 125, encouraging them to explore the diverse features and services provided by the bKash platform.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, stated, “At Grameenphone, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Our collaboration with bKash reflects our customer-centric approach and our commitment to promoting financial inclusion and digital empowerment to create a Smart Bangladesh.”
Kamal Quadir, Founder and CEO of bKash, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Financial inclusion and inclusive services have been part of bKash’s DNA since its inception. This innovative joint initiative with Grameenphone will allow customers to instantly access various financial services, contributing to the digital ecosystem. This increased accessibility will enable more customers to embark on Bangladesh’s cashless journey.”
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.
