Staff Reporter, Dhaka : The first-ever Digital Transformation Summit in the banking sector in Bangladesh has kicked off in Dhaka with participants from more than 40 banks.

Association of Bankers Bangladesh Limited (ABB) organized this two-day summit titled ‘Banking on Digital Transformation’ to provide valuable insights into the key trends driving the growth of digital financial services in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder inaugurated the summit as the chief guest at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on May 24, 2023. ABB Chairman and BRAC Bank MD&CEO Selim R.F. Hussain, the Board of Governors of ABB and MD&CEOs of different banks were present.

The two-day event brought together more than 150 participants from Bangladesh’s 46 commercial banks, aiming to explore the digital transformation journey of the banking industry in the country. On the occasion of the summit, ABB and PwC jointly launched a report titled ‘Banking Evolution: Driven by Digital Transformation’. The report features a survey with CXO-level executives of different banks to analyse the strategies adopted for digital transformation in Bangladesh.

The conference assembled experts from local and international companies and organizations, including DBS Singapore, E&Y, IBM, Bangladesh Bank, Grameenphone, Unilever, Huawei, Oracle, IT Consultant Limited, Lentra, Thakral, Orogenic, Mastercard, KPMG, Deloitte, a2i, BIBM.

The conference aims to shed light on the key trends propelling the growth of digital financial services in Bangladesh. By analyzing the strategies banks can adopt to navigate the swift digital transformation, the conference aims to provide valuable insights into the industry. Moreover, it delves into the existing policy and regulatory frameworks that impact the financial services sector. The summit offers recommendations to industry players, ecosystem enablers, and policymakers on the way forward, fostering collaboration and aligning efforts towards a shared vision.

Commenting on the conference, Selim R. F. Hussain, Chair of ABB, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “ABB’s Digital Transformation summit will provide valuable insights into the key trends driving the growth of digital financial services in Bangladesh. It will analyze the strategies banks may adopt to navigate the rapid digital transformation and will explore the existing policy and regulatory frameworks that impact the financial services industry. Additionally, the summit will offer recommendations to industry players, ecosystem enablers, and policymakers on the way forward. By working together towards a shared vision, the financial services industry in Bangladesh can create a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.”

The May 24-24 conference has attracted support from esteemed sponsors who recognize the importance of digital transformation in the banking sector. The Platinum Sponsor for the event is Huawei, powered by SMART. The Gold Sponsors include Oracle, powered by Redington Group, and IBM, powered by Thakral and Lentra. The Silver Sponsors are Mastercard, DocuWare powered by Orogenic, IT Consultant Limited, PayLogic and ModeFin powered by Thakral.

With the participation of leading professionals, decision-makers, and industry experts, the ‘Banking on Digital Transformation’ conference promises to be a platform for meaningful discussions, insights, and networking opportunities. It will facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the exploration of new possibilities in digital financial services.