The MoU is being signed by Syed J Noor, Country Head of global trade and receivables finance, HSBC and Ataur Rahman, secretary general of ICC Bangladesh. Also seen James Emmett, Global Head of Trade and Receivables Finance, Mahbubur Rahman, president of ICC Bangladesh, Rokia Afzal Rahman, Vice president of ICC Bangladesh, Latifur Rahman, vice president of ICC Bangladesh, Andrew Tilke, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh and Md. Mahbub-ur-Rahman, Corporate Banking head of HSBC Bangladesh.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in Bangladesh and International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh: the world business organisation, have jointly launched a trade knowledge and network building platform titled “ICC Knowledge Centre”.

The launching was complemented by a MoU signing ceremony between HSBC and ICC Tuesday.

The Knowledge Centre will provide the trade professionals of Bangladesh with an access to online resources, insights and trade related articles, researches and up to date trade information. In the coming days, ICC Knowledge Centre will develop into a full-fledged knowledge hub with access to online resources as well as class room training sessions, seminars, knowledge events and road shows.

A trade resource centre of this calibre is the first to be launched in Bangladesh. This will help Bangladeshi trade professionals enhance their market knowledge, build a network and keep up to date with global trade trends. Registered Members of the Knowledge Centre can access the resources through a dedicated website.

ICC is a globally accepted body for trade regulation and plays a pivotal role in shaping global commerce. Because its member companies and associations are themselves engaged in international business, ICC has unrivalled authority in making rules that govern the conduct of business across borders. Although these rules are voluntary, they are observed in countless thousands of transactions every day and have become part of the fabric of international trade.

HSBC is the worlds leading international trade finance bank, with a 10% market share of bank-financed trade revenues. In Bangladesh, HSBC has presence in all eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs), making it the only international bank to be present in all EPZs in Bangladesh.

Mahbubur Rahman, President of International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh, thanked HSBC for setting up the centre jointly with ICC Bangladesh and hoped that the corporate houses will take full advantage of this unique centre and nominate their officials dealing with international trade to be members for development of their professional skills. In todays globalised and free market trade regime, it is very important and crucial to be capable of following rules and have access to market information to safeguard their trade interests, observed ICC Bangladesh President.

Commenting on the launch of the Knowledge Centre, James Emmett, HSBCs Global Head of Trade and Receivables Finance, said: “Bangladeshs trade outlook is very positive and it is therefore crucial to provide exporters with the means to develop their knowledge of global trade practices. As the leading international trade bank, we are delighted to partner with ICC in launching this knowledge platform in Bangladesh”.

Andrew Tilke, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh, commented “Throughout our history we have been where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities. I believe that HSBC and ICC bringing the ICC Knowledge Centre to life is fully consistent with this purpose.”

The launching ceremony was also attended by Andrew Tilke, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh, Md. Mahbub-ur-Rahman, Corporate Banking Head of HSBC Bangladesh, Syed Javed Noor, Country Head of global trade and receivables finance, HSBC, Ataur Rahman, Secretary General of ICC Bangladesh and other senior officials of HSBC and ICC Bangladesh.