ASA Wins The Financial Times (London) and IFC 'Banking at the Bottom of the Pyramid-2008' Award

ASA has won The Financial Times (London) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) 'Banking at the Bottom of the Pyramid-2008' award declared at the Dorchester, London on June 3, 2008 through a colorful ceremony. The newly elected Mayor of London Mr. Boris Johnson was present in the program as the Keynote Speaker. Mr. Dirk Brouwer, Executive Director of ASA International received the award of behalf of ASA.

ASA was selected for the award from 129 institutions across 54 countries.
(Source: http://www.ftconferences.com/sustainablebanking/Winner.asp)

The judges of the award mentioned: "ASA Cost effective and Sustainable Model - has been adopted by many organizations in different countries to achieve the best results within shortest possible timeframe." To mention, ASA has also been adjudicated the best MFI of the world by the internationally famed US based Forbes magazine in 2007.

ASA Carries out Social Responsibilities with Surplus Fund

President of ASA Md. Shafiqual Haque Choudhury presided over a regional staff conference of ASA Tangail District, held at Tangail Zilla Parisad Conference Hall on 9 June 2008.

The Executive Officer of Tangail District Council Mr. Habibul Islam was present as the Chief Guest in the program. Mr. Yousuf Ali, Additional District Commissioner and Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Police Super of Tangail District were present as Special Guests at the function.

ASA President informed the meeting that ASA does not believe in isolated development approach. Government has the main responsibility for development of the country and NGOs are assisting the Government for that purpose.

ASA carries out social responsibilities programs from its surplus fund by providing health assistance and life Insurance programs for the poor.

ASA rendered financial services to more than one lakh (100,000) families of the districts with the outstanding of BDT 60 crore.

Mr. Sabihuddin Ahmed, Deputy President, Mr. Sohel Mahmud Sager, EVP, Md. Enamul Haque, EVP, Md. Ataur Rahman, Director and Golam Robbani Khan, AD of ASA were present at the conference. Eighty Branch Managers and 11 Regional Managers of the district participated in the conference.

ASA University Observes 1st Anniversary

ASA University Bangladesh observed its 1st anniversary on May 31, 2008 through different events. A colorful rally was brought out with the participation of students, teachers, employees and guests at the university campus and adjacent areas on the occasion.

A discussion program was held to mark the day. Prof. Dr. Nazrul Islam, Chairman of the University Grants Commission was the Chief Guest in the anniversary function. The Chief Guest emphasized on Bangla beside English and quality education with minimum cost.

Md. Shafiqual Haque Choudhury, Chairman of ASAUB asked the students to be more attentive to their studies. Vice-Chancellor of ASAUB presided over the program. Students also staged a cultural program at the end of the day on the occasion.

ASA President Visit UK and USA

Md. Shafiqual Haque Choudhury, President, ASA visited UK and USA from 12 to 26 April 2008 participating in some important programs.

He chaired the board meeting of Catalyst Microfinance Investors (CMI) on April 16 in London. CMI is an international equity company with $ 125 million paid up capital providing fund to emerging MFIs in 12 countries of Asia and Africa through ASA International.

Md. Shafiqual Haque Choudhury attended different programs of ASA Foundation in New York from 17 to 19 April. He addressed meeting on introduction of ASA in J P Morgan Hall, New York. He was the key speaker of roundtable meetings in Pennsylvania University and Women’s World Banking. Journalists of Wall streets Journal and the New York Times participated in those roundtable meetings.

Lastly, Mr. Choudhury addressed the Microfinance Leaders Meeting at New York organized by the CGAP, World Bank and Rockefeller Foundation from 21 to 23 April, 2008.

ASA International Spreads in 10 Countries

ASA International will spread its activities in 10 countries in Asia and Africa under the Catalyst Microfinance Investor’s (CMI) Greenfield program.

ASA President said this in a workshop of the District Managers of ASA held at ASA Tower Conference Hall at Shyamoli, Dhaka on 3 May 2008. President of ASA Md. Shafiqual Haque Choudhury was present as the Chief Guest at the function.

In his speech the Chief Guest said, ASA’s activities have reached the international arena and was becoming popular throughout the world. In this respect, ASA employees should attain efficiency and aptitude up to international standards. The ASA President stressed on administrative reforms of ASA to boost quality and efficiency of employees and strengthening the district structure.

Newly appointed ASA Deputy President Sabiuddin Ahmed was also present at the program. Mr. Sohel Mahmud Sager, EVP, Md. Enamul Haque, EVP and Mr. Susil Roy, EVP spoke at the function. Directors and high officials of ASA were also present at the occasion. Sixty four District Managers of ASA participated in the workshop.

Ambassador Sabihuddin Ahmed joins ASA as Deputy President

Former Secretary and Ambassador Mr. Sabiuddin Ahmed recently joined ASA as Deputy President.

He served as Secretary of Ministry of Forest and Environments of Bangladesh Government and other key positions in different Ministries. He was also the High-Commissioner of Bangladesh to UK and Ambassador to Sweden.