HSBC has launched the third edition of "HSBC Business Excellence Awards" to honour business entities and entrepreneurs for their contribution in sustainable economic growth of Bangladesh.

With the theme of "Bangladesh: Proudly Resilient, Globally Excellent", this year's awards will be conferred in eight categories, HSBC officials said in a press conference at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka today.

The first category is for garment units with annual export turnover of $50 million and above.

The second is for supply chain and backward linkage industries with annual export turnover of $10 million and above while third one is for the non-traditional and emerging sectors with turnover of $3 million and above.

In fourth category, the HSBC will honour the best performer in import substitution reducing or substituting imports to a value of $10 million and above.

The fifth award is for the leader in inbound investment and infrastructure foreign investment in the form of capital, technology solution etc.

The sixth award will be given for excellence in sustainability while seven one will be for the organisation armed with best innovation and technology.

Besides, the global lender will also recognise individual or organisation for special achievement for contribution to the country's socioeconomic growth, excellence in innovation, job creation and supporting the community.

The commerce ministry and the British high commission in Dhaka are the programme partners of the awards.

A jury board comprising members from the HSBC, the ministry and the high commission will finalise the awardees based on annual contribution to the national exports and economy, diversity, responsibility, sustainable business practices, governance strengths, regulatory compliance etc.

The nomination forms and other details of the programme are now available at HSBC's Bangladesh website and the nomination phase will remain open until October 1 this year.

Addressing the event, Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, said HSBC Bangladesh has been supporting businesses and entrepreneurs in their growth journey for the last 27 years.

"We are delighted to be recognising the exceptional businesses who have contributed to Bangladesh's trade growth, fulfilled domestic demand or facilitated development of infrastructure as Bangladesh prepares to thrive in a post-LDC graduation scenario."

Gerard Haughey, country head of Wholesale Banking at HSBC Bangladesh, said: "Through these awards, we recognise the achievements of the country's most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs and recognise their relentless efforts to make Bangladesh's mark in the global arena."

"We are proud to be playing our role in supporting those who are dynamic, resilient and making a difference to create an even more powerful economy."

Talukdar Noman Anwar, country head for communications at HSBC Bangladesh, also spoke at the launch conference and shared the rules and regulations of the programme.