The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Corporation in Bangladesh on Friday awarded six prominent exporters of the country for their great contributions to the promotion of Bangladeshi brand in the global market.

Under the third “HSBC Export Excellence Awards 2011,” HSBC Bangladesh awarded the exporters with the ‘Exporter of the Year’ trophy for their contributions and leadership in promoting ‘Made in Bangladesh’ mark throughout the world.

Zaber and Zubair Fabrics Ltd, Urmi Group, Qualitex Group, PRAN Group, Janata Jute Mills Ltd, and Bay Footwear Ltd. were honoured with the prestigious exporter of the year trophy under five different categories. The groups included apparel and Textile sector (Group A and Group B), enterprises in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) of Bangladesh, traditional and emerging sectors, and small and medium enterprises.

Attending as the chief guest, finance minister AMA Muhith handed over the prestigious trophies among the winners at Radisson Water Blu Hotel in the city on Friday night.

Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman attended the event as special guest, while Noel P Quinn, HSBC group general manager and head of commercial banking Asia Pacific, Andrew Tilke, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, Md Mahbub-ur Rahman, head of commercial banking of HSBC Bangladesh, and higher executives of the bank were also present.

Finance minister AMA Muhith said the people who mainly driving the country’s economy are progressive cultivator, productive industrial workers and vibrant entrepreneurs.

This year’s export earnings growth might not be as strong as it was in the previous year due to some domestic and international factors, Muhith said. But there is no reason to be nervous, he said.

“Diversification of markets and products are slow,” he said.

“Agro-processing, leather and leather goods, shipbuilding and toys are the promising sector which could bring export diversification,” the minister added.

Leather is another export item which has unlimited future, he said.

Andrew Tilke, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, congratulated the winners for their achievements and also for the important role they play in Bangladesh’s development and prosperity.

As the world’s leading international bank, HSBC is proud to be a partner in this growth journey, Andrew said.