Leading firms stand by SMEs

Nine leading companies from different sectors joined hands on Monday to launch a platform to provide special services to entrepreneurs of small and medium enterprises.

The “ONE” platform will comprise DHL Express Bangladesh, Grameenphone, Eastern Bank Ltd, The Daily Star, Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd, Hatil, Fair Distribution Ltd (distributor of Samsung), Ispahani Group and TVS Motor Company.

A “ONE Card” was also unveiled by EBL, the platform's banking and financial partner, during the launching at The Westin Dhaka. The card will serve as an identity card while providing banking options through which SME customers will be able to avail different services and benefits offered by the platform's partners.

The platform will start off by catering to the needs of the 3,000 existing SME customers of DHL Express Bangladesh. “As EBL always strives to add value to customer's business, this platform would allow us to support SMEs with right banking support and special privileges,” said Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director and CEO of EBL.

“ONE card, other than being just an identity card, is also a dual currency international prepaid MasterCard with special features that will help SMEs grow further,” he said.

Md Miarul Haque, country manager of DHL Express Bangladesh, emphasised the role SMEs played and how they could contribute to the country's economy collectively. He shared examples of how small companies emerged to become leading companies around the world.

“Leveraging technology, the SMEs should think of going international and target the global market. As they aspire to grow, ONE platform offers them the right support,” he said. The ONE platform is an innovative concept which will create a win-win situation for both customers and the partners, said Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star.  Michael Patrick Foley, CEO of Grameenphone, and Farzana Chowdhury, managing director of Green Delta, also attended the function.