ICD Signs MoU to Test New Banking Model

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-PS.org), the private sector arm of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, has recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City Bank Limited (www.TheCityBank.com) and CodersTrust Bangladesh Limited (www.CodersTrustBD.com) in order to test a new banking model named “Biniog Sathi”.

With the signing of the MoU, the Islamic wing of the City Bank of Bangladesh named City Manarah will extend financing to the students for paying a portion of the training programmes undertaken by CodersTrust. These training sessions are designed to make them as qualified freelancers to generate income through online portals. ICD’s role will be to govern the entire financing programme under its “Biniog Sathi” banking model.

Mr Farid Masmoudi, Director of ICD, Mr Sohail R.K. Hussain, Managing Director and Chief Executive of the City Bank Limited and Mr Ataul Goni Osmani, Country Director of CodersTrust Bangladesh Limited signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.

“Biniog Sathi”, meaning “Friend in Investment” in Bangla, is a new generation banking model developed by ICD that will resolve the problem of credit default in the banking industry with the help of Zakat and Sadaqa. The model is based on Islamic Finance principles and it will make the Islamic Banking more competitive.

During the signing event, Mr Farid Masmoudi, the Director of ICD said, “This is the first pilot test to be conducted under the model and if it is successful, then the banking industry will witness the birth of a new banking model that will resolve an age old problem of credit default.”

Mr Sohail R.K. Hussain, the Managing Director and the CEO of the City Bank Limited said, “With the signing of this MoU, we are for the first time exploring the potentials of Microfinance, which I believe will open a new era of services from our bank.”

Mr Ataul Goni Osmani, the Country Director of CodersTrust said, “Coders Trust has been training freelancers for quite some time and with the collaboration of ICD and the City Bank Limited, our efforts to train students will be greatly enhanced in the future.” 

Distributed by APO on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD): ICD (www.ICD-PS.org) is a multilateral organization and a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group. The mandate of ICD is to support economic development and promote the development of the private sector in its member countries through providing financing facilities and/or investments which are in accordance with the principles of Sharia’a. ICD also provides advice to governments and private organizations to encourage the establishment, expansion and modernization of private enterprises. ICD is rated AA/F1+ by Fitch and Aa3/P1 by Moody’s. For more information, visit www.ICD-PS.org. 

About the City Bank Limited: The City Bank (www.TheCityBank.com) is a first generation Bangladeshi private commercial bank, operating throughout Bangladesh. It is one of the few banks in Bangladesh with a centralized infrastructure. Established in 1983, the Bank now operates countrywide with 115 branches. The web address of the bank is www.TheCityBank.com. 

About CodersTrust Bangladesh Limited: Established in 2014, CodersTrust Bangladesh Limited (www.CodersTrustBD.com) is a subsidiary of Denmark based CodersTrust, the aim of which is to train online freelancers in order to locate prospective job assignments. Since inception, CodersTrust has trained 2000 freelancers globally of which 1000 students have been training in Bangladesh alone. The company has a target of reaching 100,000 students with the help of its partners. So far the company has partnered with Grameen Solutions, BRAC, UNDP, the World Bank, etc. The web address of the company is www.CodersTrustBD.com.