Standard Chartered Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development through high-impact projects focused on empowering rural communities, enhancing agricultural livelihoods, driving education, skills-based training and entrepreneurship, and advancing climate resilience. Over the last five years alone, the Bank supported 18 million beneficiaries across Bangladesh, in partnership with NGOs, social enterprises, and academic institutions. This builds on the Bank’s focus on long-term community impact initiatives, stretching back over the last two and a half decades.
Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said, “Our purpose extends beyond banking. In 2024, our community programmes touched nearly one million lives across Bangladesh — supporting farmers, youth, small businesses, and vulnerable communities. Whether it was planting mangroves, funding agricultural innovation, enabling eye care in remote villages, or creating job opportunities through skills development — we focused on making positive changes in our communities.”
Community impact highlights in 2024
| Project Name | Partner | Income/Production Improvement | Skills or Practices Adopted | Linkages Created | Efficiencies Achieved |
| Floriculture Cluster in Jashore | KMSS | Avg. monthly income increase of BDT 2,000 to 5,000 per farmer | Gerbera cultivation, polyhouse management, pruning, pest control | Access to urban flower markets, bulk buyers | Improved post-harvest management, reduced spoilage |
| Haor Farmers’ Food Security | BRAC | 80% of 1,500 farmers report higher food availability and year-round income | Flood-resilient crop planning, climate-adaptive farming techniques | Local market channels, agro-input support | Reduced crop losses during floods |
| Beekeeping Value Chain | BASA | Annual income increased by over BDT 25,000 per beekeeper | Safe honey extraction, processing, financial planning | Local honey markets, cooperatives | Higher product quality, reduced contamination losses |
| Smart Farming Village Initiative | SAF | Improved yield and reduced input costs reported by over 60% of 1,450 farmers | Mechanisation, integrated pest management, post-harvest handling | Input suppliers, advisory networks | Labour and time savings, improved crop profitability |
| Climate-Affected Livelihoods in Chars | Friendship | Improved income through poultry and goat rearing among 3,000+ families | Livestock care, homestead gardening, disaster preparedness | Veterinary services, local traders | Diversified income streams, reduced economic vulnerability |
| Youth Skilling and Employment in Gazipur | UCEP Bangladesh | Average income of skilled graduates over BDT 10,000/month | Machine operation, tailoring, mobile servicing | Employment with local industries and SMEs | Faster job placement, reduced youth dependency |
Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Country Head, Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing (CABM),
Standard Chartered Bangladesh said, “We are privileged to stand beside our partners and communities as they lead change across our communities. This year’s stories are more than numbers – they are about resilience, dignity, and hope taking root in every household, field, polyhouse, and beehive.”
These initiatives are part of Standard Chartered’s broader strategy to support Bangladesh’s sustainable development, while delivering on the Bank’s brand promise — Here for good. As Bangladesh’s long-term partner in building a better future, Standard Chartered has been deeply embedded in the nation’s growth story for over 120 years. The Bank remains committed to driving commerce, fostering inclusive development, and investing in communities through impactful initiatives that create lasting impact.
