Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine

A Carnival of Crafts and Community

Dhaka’s winter evenings are about to take on a new glow as Aarong ushers in the return of its Winter Wonderland, an immersive showcase where rural women’s artistry meets festive joy, turning December nights into a living tapestry of culture and creativity. Now in its second season, the month‑long festival is more than a carnival—it is a crafted journey into Bangladesh’s artisan heritage, blending music, food, games, and storytelling with the warmth of community celebration. The event stretches across two vibrant spaces, each designed to immerse visitors in the story of Bangladeshi craftsmanship. At the Tejgaon Outlet Parking Lot, glowing gates open into a world of artisan stalls, DIY craft corners, food kiosks, and the aarong.com experience zone. Here, the main stage sets the rhythm for music and performance, while every stall tells a tale of the rural women whose hands weave, carve, and print the designs that define Aarong. Terracotta Tales, meanwhile, offers a different flavour of festivity. Families will find carnival games, a dedicated children’s zone, and a curated menu of seasonal treats. Unlike the Tejgaon site, this space welcomes visitors without registration, ensuring the carnival atmosphere flows freely between both venues. The experience is designed to be more than entertainment. Every purchase, every photograph taken, and every beat enjoyed feeds back into the lives of the artisans who make Aarong possible. It is a circle of value, where celebration meets empowerment. Late-night shopping adds another layer to the festivities. On event days, the Tejgaon outlet extends its hours until 11pm, inviting guests to browse curated collections that reflect the warmth and colour of the season. Entry to the Tejgaon grounds requires online registration via Tickify, though Aarong Rewards and Club TAAGA cardholders enjoy automatic access. Presenting a card secures entry for the holder and a guest, making the carnival as inclusive as it is immersive. With music, crafts, games, and food stitched together into one month-long celebration, Aarong’s Winter Wonderland is not simply an event. It is a reminder of how heritage can be lived, shared, and celebrated—one artisan story at a time. Event Highlights Week 1: Pitha Utshob (December 4 & 5) Visitors can enjoy live folk performances and taste a variety of seasonal pitha at dedicated stations. Week 2: Thanda Beats (December 11 & 12) The atmosphere will be filled with winter rave vibes under the stars, featuring music from some of the city’s top DJs. Week 3: Fake Wedding (December 18 & 19) Guests can take part in a playful “biye-bari” experience, complete with a “Holud meets meme culture” zone. The staged wedding night will include henna, paan, bangles, and photo booths, alongside dance acts and live DJ sets. Week 4: Concert (December 25 & 26) The season will close with star-studded live concert performances, bringing the month to a musical finale. Every Week The Aarong.com Experience Zone will showcase the newly refreshed aarong.com through interactive, fun, and style-led activities. Artisan Meet & Greet sessions will highlight crafts such as nakshi kantha, pottery, block printing, jewellery, and jamdani. Craft videos and demonstrations will show how heritage techniques continue to keep traditions alive. Community Impact initiatives will support women artisans and local craftspeople. Food and vibes will be provided through winter treats, festive snacks, and cosy hangout corners. A dedicated kids’ zone will offer fun activities and games for children. Written by Nibir Ayaan

IAB Build Expo, ArchSummit End on High Note

The curtain fell on the successful IAB Build Expo 2025 and ArchSummit on December 13 in the capital, offering meaningful and comprehensive insight into the breadth and depth of Bangladesh’s building sector. What began as a three-day curated event unfolded into a dynamic celebration of architecture, design, and dialogue, ensuring ample space for both attendees and industry leaders. The final day featured two back-to-back seminars—one on “Building Resilience: Architects Upholding the Human Spirit and Community Strength” and the other on “Evolving Skylines: Navigating Tropical Climates and Urban Density”—featuring top architects from various parts of the world. The first plenary session on building resilience, much like its weighty theme, brought together a distinguished panel of four world-class architects. The session featured homeland pride Marina Tabassum and Md Iqbal Habib, alongside Minsuk Cho from South Korea and Robert Bannura from the USA. All four architects shared a common approach to design as a social and ethical practice, emphasising human experience and a conscious resistance to homogenised global architectural trends. During the panel discussion, Marina Tabassum reflected on how government bodies and non-governmental organisations often impose ready-made solutions on communities without fully understanding their lived realities. She pointed out that, with deeper engagement and careful listening, the same expenditure could be used more efficiently. Md Iqbal Habib, known for his role as a socially committed architect and for speaking out against unplanned urbanisation and environmental neglect, noted that architects often assume they know everything that needs to be done. In reality, it is the people who live in a place who best understand their needs—and it is from them that architects should learn what truly needs to be built. According to Roberto Bannura, architects have the opportunity to serve the public interest even while executing private projects. He underscored that professional agency allows architects, despite constraints set by clients, to engage meaningfully with communities. This approach transcends mere commission fulfilment, enabling them to dedicate a significant portion of their portfolio to creating a lasting societal impact. Addressing the challenges of resilient design, Minsuk Cho spoke candidly about how public space projects often clash with Korea’s dynamic political landscape. Yet, he offered a powerful rebuttal to instability: “Despite economic and political unrest, a project goes on. Our approach must be to believe in the power of the site and the location, and, crucially, to use the best possible resource for completion: the community itself.” The second plenary session explored the rapidly changing skylines of Dhaka, Chattogram, and other fast-growing cities. The core discussion focused on how high-rise development, imported materials, and global design influences are reshaping Bangladesh’s urban identity, liveability, and climate resilience, prompting a critical reassessment of current growth trajectories. Leading architects, including Patrick D’Rozario, Bayajid Mahbub Khondker, Md Ehsan Khan, Nahas Ahmed Khalil, Roberto Bannura, and Mushtapa Khalid Palash, presented insights from their respective practices on the challenges and possible approaches to building in climate-sensitive, high-density environments. In his closing remarks, Mushtapa Khalid Palash reflected that while people’s perceptions of the skyline may vary, in reality it remains an abstract concept. He emphasised that tropical climates are not merely conditions to design around—they are realities architects must design through. “To create skylines that express a distinctive identity, we need to acknowledge our monsoons, intense sunlight, vernacular textures, and the deeply social fabric of our urban life, allowing our cities to emerge organically from place, climate, and culture.” The ArchSummit concluded with a memorable celebration, where vibrant cultural performances featuring group music and folk dance, infused with a distinctly Bangladeshi essence, honoured the host country. The closing ceremony recognised all participating architects, guest speakers, and organisers. The event’s momentum carried through the final hours, with insightful seminars driving future visions and the corridors facilitating valuable networking and professional exchange. Written by: Fariha Hossain

IAB Build Expo, ArchSummit See Vibrant Participation of Architects on Day 2

Day two of the global events of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) — the IAB Build Expo 2025 and Bangladesh ArchSummit 2025 — saw vibrant participation from architects, designers, academics, and industry leaders from home and abroad. While the ArchSummit hosted curated seminars and panel discussions for registered participants, addressing key issues within the contemporary architectural landscape, the IAB Build Expo — the country’s largest exhibition of building materials and construction innovations — remained open to all visitors. Held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in the capital alongside the expo, IAB launched Bangladesh ArchSummit 2025 under the theme “Crafting Space, Shaping Habitat.” The three-day event, running from December 11 to 13, brought together global and local experts from various fields to engage in dialogue on the future of Asia’s built environment. The ground floor of BCFCC hosted a lively exhibition where leading brands showcased their latest products and innovations, allowing visitors to explore advancements that support stronger, safer, and more sustainable construction. The second floor featured a dedicated ArchSummit seminar hall, with adjacent corridors displaying award-winning architectural projects from Bangladesh, creating a well-curated and dynamic event overall. Architect Rashed Chowdhury, a practising architect and founder of Dehsar Works (DW), opened the second day’s roundtable discussion on the “Poetics of Crafting Spaces” with a fundamental question: “Where is here?” “Our geographical and socio-political context inevitably shapes our responsibilities as designers — influencing how we think about space-making and the materials we choose,” he said. By posing this question, he invited participants to examine how the sense of belonging is defined, whether “here” is determined by political boundaries or by the deeper, more enduring contours of culture and identity. Speaking on materiality, award-winning green architect Rizvi Hassan remarked that it is much like cooking — and that, like any good chef, architects should feel free to use all the ingredients available to them. Shamsul Wares, a trailblazer of contemporary Bangladeshi architecture and an eminent art critic, reflected on how modern architecture’s obsession with efficiency has fallen short, arguing that true value lies in quality and the poetic dimension of space. “Architecture is about designing experience,” he said, highlighting light as both phenomenon and material. Wares urged architects to learn from modernity’s mistakes while considering the body, soul, and society in their work. “All art wants to be poetry. Poetry wants to be music. And music ultimately wants to be spirituality,” he concluded. The event’s guest of honour, Architect Fawad Suhail Abbasi, president of the Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP), reflected on how the day’s discussion prompted him to reassess his own practice. With his firm long focusing on brick and sustainable architectural practice, he realised that one cannot overlook the foundational lessons inherited from peers and mentors. He emphasised the importance of finding the mentor within oneself, following that inner direction, and discovering one’s own architectural path, much like the evolving journey of Bangladeshi architects today. After a break for prayer and lunch, a second panel discussion on design, dialogue, and direction in shaping habitat brought together local architects and academics. The discussion highlighted how governments worldwide often overlook the realities of architectural practice — advising against costly materials without recognising that every material has its place when used appropriately. One panellist noted that while academic curricula aligned with the SDGs have expanded, they fail to create responsible citizens who can truly improve the city and country. The day concluded with the IAB Induction Ceremony 2025, welcoming its new fellows and members. Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, conveyed his heartfelt congratulations virtually, noting that one of the year’s first significant milestones was the unification of the Architects’ Association of South Asia. With representatives from seven countries coming together, he emphasised that this collaboration would strengthen knowledge exchange, professional cooperation, and a sense of fraternity among architects across the region — particularly as many of their challenges remain shared. Written by Fariha Hossain

Spotlights

VITTI Sthapati Brindo Ltd wins Asian Townscape Award 2025

Bangladesh’s architectural journey reached a new height this year as VITTI Sthapati Brindo Ltd won the Asian Townscape Award 2025 for the Hatirjheel Integrated Development Project. The recognition not only honours the firm’s vision but also highlights Dhaka’s growing commitment to sustainable urban transformation. The award was presented on November 27 this year at the CIC-Zero Carbon Park in Hong Kong, where VITTI’s Directors, Architect Iqbal Habib and Architect Ishtiaque Zahir, received the accolade alongside the project’s client and RAJUK Chairman Engr. Md. Rezaul Islam. Their joint presence reflected the collaborative spirit behind Hatirjheel’s success, a project that has become emblematic of how shared effort can reshape a city’s identity. The Asian Townscape Awards (ATA) themselves carry a rich legacy. First launched in 2010, they were created through a collaboration between UN-HABITAT’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), the Asian Habitat Society (AHS), the

Gallery Plat-forms Hosts ‘Beyond the Veil’

Gallery Plat-forms is hosting ‘Beyond the Veil’ – 3rd solo exhibition by M F I Mazumder Shakil. In this exhibition, the artist presents the ancient medium of woodcut in a fresh, contemporary artistic form. A total of 24 woodcut prints are on display which includes 8 large-scale works. The exhibition began on November 9 and has now been extended until December 13, with visiting hours from 11 am to 8pm. As noted by Gallery Plat-forms, in ‘Beyond the Veil’, Shakil revives the long-format woodcut to explore a world both intimate and exclusive. Through sweeping panels in amber, midnight blue, and stark monochrome, a woman emerges through fabric, fold and shadow. The veil becomes a threshold rather than concealment, inviting us to see without seeing. Each cut and layer conjures the textures of cloth and memory, secrecy and freedom. Part portrait, part landscape of the unseen. Beyond the veil transcends identity to question how we perceive, what lies hidden. Rooted in tradition yet distinctly contemporary. Shakil’s work reimagines the politics of visibility and expands the language of global printmaking. “My work is primarily in printmaking – specifically woodcut. I begin by drawing on plywood or any other board, then carve the block using woodcut tools based on the distribution of light and shadow. After that, I apply ink to the block with a roller through various processes, and finally transfer the print onto paper. Depending on the size, completing a single piece can take several months,” explains Shakil. “I have participated in various exhibitions, art camps, and art fairs both in Bangladesh and abroad. In the future, I plan to organize solo exhibitions outside the country as well. In recent times, young artists in Bangladesh have been tirelessly pursuing creative practice, and their works have already received significant recognition on the international stage. However, the overall acceptance of fine arts within the country has yet to reach the desired level. I remain hopeful that with proper patronage and support, our artists will be able to present Bangladesh’s artistic heritage to the world with even greater distinction,” the artist further adds. Mohammed Fakhrul Islam Mazumder, a Bangladeshi artist born in Comilla in 1989. He completed his M.F.A and B.F.A in Printmaking from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University in 2016 and in 2014. Mazumder has held two solo exhibitions— “Obscure Beauty” (GalleryChitrak, 2023) and “The Odyssey of the Soul” (Zainul Gallery, 2018). His art has been showcased widely across Asia,Europe, and Australia, including major exhibitions in Japan, China, Thailand, Korea, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. He has received numerous national and international awards such as the 26th Berger Young Painters’ Award (2022), Excellent Works Award, COP15 Global Art & Design Competition, China (2022), 2nd International Print Biennale Award, India (2021), and the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Award (2019). Mazumder’s works are part of collections at the China Printmaking Museum, Ino-cho Paper Museum (Japan), Bengal Foundation, and Lalit Kala Academy (India). He has also participated in several artist residencies, including the Chitrashala International Artist Residency in India and Kali Artist Residency at Cosmos Atelier 71, Bangladesh. Currently, Mazumder continues to experiment with layers of print, texture, and form to reflect the subtle interplay between the visible and the unseen. Through this exhibition, Shakil opens a new doorway not only to beauty but also to perception. His works, imprinted with the labor of hand-carved marks on solid wood surfaces, unfold into a poetry of light and shadow. This exhibition is part of Gallery Plat-forms’ commitment to presenting Bangladeshi artists who bring together heritage and contemporaneity, offering them anew to the global stage. Written by Tasmiah Chowdhury Photo Credits Sarmin Akter lina Gallery plat-Forms

Glimpses from 75-95

Titled “Phire Dekha/Re See,” the ongoing exhibition at the capital’s Kalakendra is comprised of the most heavyweight line-up of artists in a single group show in this gallery’s journey so far. Although a young gallery run by the veteran Wakilur Rahman, Kalakendra has already cemented its place as a hub for regular exhibition-goers of Dhaka, and its latest exhibition is another beautiful stroke in its canvas. Kazi Rakib, Deepa Haq, Dhali Al Mamoon, Dilara Begum Jolly, Nisar Hossain, and Shishir Bhattacharjee, Saidul Haque Juise, Fareha Zeba, Ratan Mojumdar, Habibur Rahman, Ruhul Amin Kajol, Lala Rukh Selim, Towfiqur Rahman, and Wakilur Rahman—if you are an enthusiast of the Bangladeshi art scene, you are at least familiar with a few of these names from this stellar list of Bangladeshi artists. These names, whether as a promising back-in-the-day or established artist, as a respected teacher for generations of art students, or as a curator, are all notable in their own ways in a detailed history of the Bangladeshi art scene. Growing up in a country where there is a mass tendency of collective amnesia towards the importance of archives and still no organized/proper practice of museum and gallery culture, if you have ever wondered what the art of some notable names looked like when they were at your and your Charukola friends’ age, “Phire Dekha” provides you a glimpse. The show gathers these fourteen artists, whose works once characterized the visual rhythm of postwar Bangladesh. The display, which runs from 1975 to 1995—an era marked by instability, transformation, and fragile hope—does not attempt to rebuild history but rather to reflect on it through the lens of art. Those two decades were more than just years on a timeline; they were a line of reckoning. Bangladesh, yet learning the lexicon of its freedom, was seeing seismic worldwide shifts—the demise of socialism, the growth of neoliberal dreams, and the gradual disintegration of collective idealism. These factors undoubtedly influenced how artists thought, created, and responded to their surroundings. The show makes no conclusive statements about that age; rather, it creates a contemplative space between history and present, memory and method, inviting visitors to rediscover what art previously possessed and what it continues to disclose. “Re See” is curated without the weight of theory or curatorial rigor, instead assembling pieces of real experience rather than a predefined theme. All of the participating artists were young art students in the years following the Liberation War. Some were members of collectives such as Dhaka Painters or the Somoy Group, while others forged their own paths of discovery. Their works together provide a mosaic of artistic and emotional progress, a portrait of a generation that used color, form, and gesture to express its times. The exhibition features paintings, sculptures, prints, sketches, and mixed-media pieces, the majority of which are from the artists’ personal archives. The mix of mediums—etchings, acrylics, watercolor, and assemblage—reflects the restless search for words that marked Bangladeshi art throughout those decades. “We seldom get to see the works that shaped our contemporary practice,” he observed. “Between 1970 and 1990, the political and cultural landscapes of our country changed dramatically, and those changes inevitably entered art. The young artists of that period absorbed both global and local influences, reinterpreting them through their own materials, symbols, and languages. Many have since matured into leading figures, guiding the next generations of creators,” said art historian and critic Professor Abul Mansur. These words capture the essence of “Re See”; it is not nostalgia but an act of rediscovery, an artistic archaeology of thought and feeling. The exhibition runs daily from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. until November 15 at Kalakendra. Written by Shahbaz Nahian

Bangladesh’s Largest Travel Expo Begins Thursday

The 13th edition of the Biman Bangladesh Travel & Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2025 opened Thursday morning at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center (BCFCC) in Dhaka, marking the return of the country’s largest international tourism expo. Organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the three-day event runs from October 30 to November 1 and is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors, including over 2,000 trade professionals. The fair is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with an entry fee of Tk 50 per person. Students, freedom fighters, and July war heroes are granted free entry, ensuring inclusive access to the event. This year’s fair features participation from more than 120 local and international organisations, showcasing their products and services through around 220 stalls and 20 pavilions. Among the international participants are national tourism boards, airlines, tour operators, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare providers. Twenty international hospitals are promoting medical and wellness tourism, reflecting the growing interest in cross-border healthcare travel. Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the title sponsor of BTTF 2025, joined by IHG Hotels & Resorts as the gold partner and bKash as the payment partner, with cashback offers available for visitors purchasing entry tickets via bKash. Spanning 60,000 square feet, the exhibition is divided into four themed halls—Celebrity, Carnival, Harmony, and Milky Way—designed to facilitate targeted engagement between exhibitors and attendees. The layout includes dedicated spaces for B2B sessions, seminars, country presentations, cultural performances, and documentary screenings on Bangladesh’s tourist attractions, offering a comprehensive platform for both commercial exchange and public interaction. The opening ceremony on Thursday was presided over by Md. Rafeuzzaman, president of TOAB, and formally inaugurated by Lutfe Siddiqi, special envoy to the chief adviser on international affairs, who served as chief guest. Md. Taslim Amin Shovon, director (trade & fair) at TOAB, delivered the welcome address, while Mohammad Yunus, director (media & publications), conducted the programme. Friday’s programme includes a B2B networking session, multiple seminars, and a roundtable discussion, while Saturday will feature a grand raffle draw and the closing ceremony. Daily cultural shows and sideline events are expected to enhance visitor engagement. TOAB, which has been organising BTTF annually since 2007, aims to position Bangladesh as a competitive player in the global tourism market. With 751 active members, the association regularly participates in international fairs such as ITB Berlin, WTM London, and FITUR Madrid, and collaborates with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Tourism Board, and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. According to organisers, BTTF 2025 is designed to promote both inbound and outbound tourism, with a special focus on niche segments including culinary, cultural, leisure, cruise, and adventure travel. Business and corporate travel also feature prominently, alongside medical tourism, which has seen increased demand in recent years. Distinguished guests at the inauguration included Saima Shahin Sultana, chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation; Naila Ahmed, joint secretary (tourism-1 branch) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; Md. Mainul Hasan, additional IGP of Bangladesh Tourist Police, and Nuzhat Yasmin, CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board, alongside TOAB advisors, directors, and steering committee members. Written by Nibir Ayaan

Business Insights

Three-day Leathertech Bangladesh 2025 begins in Dhaka

Leathertech Bangladesh 2025, an international trade show, began in Dhaka on December 4, showcasing raw materials, machinery, chemicals, accessories and components for the leather sector alongside finished leather, travel goods and both leather and non-leather footwear. More than 200 local and foreign exhibitors are taking part in the event, which occupies 15,000 square metres at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital. The expo is being organised by ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Limited with the support of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB). Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), inaugurated the expo as chief guest, while Syed Nasim Manzur, president of LFMEAB, attended as special guest. Leaders of industry associations from Bangladesh, China, India and Pakistan were also present, reflecting the regional significance of the event. Leathertech Bangladesh began its journey 11 years ago as a technology platform created to bring innovations in footwear, travel goods and allied manufacturing from across the world closer to local producers. Over the years, it has become the most preferred platform for exploring and expanding opportunities in Bangladesh’s leather, footwear and travel

AkijBashir Group has entered into a strategic partnership with the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL)

In a major step toward sustainable industrial growth, AkijBashir Group has entered into a strategic partnership with the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy across its operations. The collaboration, formalized at an event held at Sheraton Dhaka, marks a significant milestone in advancing green industrial practices in Bangladesh. AkijBashir Group has been funding several sustainability projects in the last couple of years through its Energy Efficiency and Rooftop Solar financing programs funded by IDCOL. These projects have enabled the deployment of industrial rooftop solar capacity of more than 90MWp, of which over 60MWp has been deployed and has become one of the largest solar portfolios in the private sector in Bangladesh. One of the highlights of the joint venture is a pioneer project of Janata Jute Mills Ltd. in Boalmari, Faridpur, that will become the first in the world to be a fully operational jute mill using renewable energy by the first quarter of 2026. In the long-term sustainability, the Group targets to produce a renewable energy of 1,000 MWh every day by 2027. During the event, AkijBashir Group Managing Director, Mr. Taslim Md. Khan, and IDCOL Executive Director and CEO, Mr. Alamgir Morshed, emphasized the role of collaboration in the development of the future of the low-carbon industry. AkijBashir Group is determined to be 100% renewable in all its manufacturing plants by the year 2030, which is in line with its vision Beyond Tomorrow- impetus on sustainability, innovation, and industrial perfection.

World Investor Week rings the bell on financial fraud awareness

A global initiative to promote investor education and protection is underway as World Investor Week 2025 runs from October 6 to 12, led by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). Now in its latest edition, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy, responsible investing, and the protection of investors in an increasingly digital and complex financial landscape. The global campaign features participation from securities regulators, exchanges, financial organisations, and educators across six continents, with events tailored to national and regional contexts. Activities include public awareness drives, webinars, training sessions, and outreach campaigns designed to help investors make informed decisions and guard against fraud. A flagship feature of the campaign is the “Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy” initiative, held in collaboration with the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE). Stock exchanges around the world symbolically “ring the bell” to demonstrate their commitment to investor education and market transparency. Focus on Fraud, Digital Threats, and Investor Awareness This year’s programme includes a strong emphasis on the emerging threat of digital fraud, particularly those involving artificial intelligence and online scams. On October 7, U.S. regulators including the National Futures Association (NFA), FINRA, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) hosted a webinar titled “Deconstructing to Disrupt Fraud”, which was a two-part event featuring Dr. Arda Akartuna. The session explored how AI technologies are being weaponised by fraudsters, and how regulators and investors can respond with vigilance and education. In Indonesia, the national financial regulator Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) is hosting a regional webinar on October 9 titled “Empowering Investors: Invest Wisely and Stay Safe from Fraud and Scams.” The event features speakers from IOSCO’s Committee on Retail Investors and will discuss practical strategies to improve retail investor protection. Investor education for older adults is also a priority in this year’s campaign. In the United States, the CFTC, FBI, and AARP have partnered on outreach aimed at Americans aged 50 and older, focusing on helping them identify and avoid scams. The organisers report that over 250 participants registered for this dedicated session. Global Backing and Institutional Support World Investor Week is supported by a wide range of international partners, including: The World Bank OECD G20 Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) These partnerships reinforce IOSCO’s broader mission to promote not only awareness, but also long-term behavioural change among investors and institutions globally. As the global standard-setter for securities regulation, IOSCO collaborates closely with the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the G20 to ensure that investor protection remains a key pillar of global financial integrity and stability. Building Resilience in a Complex Investment Landscape With financial markets rapidly evolving due to digitisation, AI technologies, and cross-border investment platforms, retail investors are exposed to new complexities and risks. World Investor Week serves as a timely reminder of the need for robust financial education, stronger regulatory safeguards, and proactive public engagement. As the campaign continues through October 12, organisers hope to empower individuals with the knowledge to navigate risks, detect fraud, and contribute to more resilient financial markets across all levels of society. Written By Nibir Ayaan

Bangladeshi Hotels, Resorts Win Big at South Asian Travel Awards 2025

Bangladesh’s hospitality sector received a resounding endorsement on the international stage as several leading local hotels, resorts, and tour operators were honoured at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, held at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. The glittering ceremony, widely regarded as one of the region’s most prestigious events in the travel and tourism calendar, brought together top-tier organisations from Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. A total of 53 Gold Awards and 113 Silver Awards were presented across a range of categories, recognising excellence in service, innovation, and guest experience. Bangladeshi winners spanned multiple categories, reflecting the country’s growing reputation as a destination of choice for regional and international travellers. Award Winners from Bangladesh Baywatch: South Asia’s Best New Hotel and South Asia’s Leading Beach Resort HANSA – A Premium Residence: Leading Designer Hotel/Resort Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre: Leading City Hotel Intercontinental Dhaka: Leading Luxury Hotel Momo Inn: Leading Family Hotel & Resort and Leading Convention Center Award Platinum Grand: Leading Boutique Hotel Platinum Residence: Leading City Hotel and Leading Budget Hotel Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View: Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Radisson Blu Dhaka: Leading Airport Hotel and Leading Meeting & Events Sayeman Beach Resort: Leading Wedding Hotel/Resort Sayeman Heritage: Leading Heritage Hotel/Resort The Palace Luxury Resort: Leading Palace Hotel The Peninsula Chittagong: Best CSR Program, Leading F&B Hotel, and Leading Business Hotel The Westin Dhaka: Leading Wellness and Spa Hotel/Resort Bangladesh Tour Group (BTG): South Asia’s Leading Inbound Travel Agent and Best Promotion Campaign in South Asia Travel Classic (Pvt.) Limited: Leading Travel Agent – Outbound Winning awards in different categories was no easy feat. Each submission underwent a rigorous selection and evaluation process. The SATA 2025 Awards were presented to organisations that embody excellence in service delivery, innovation, sustainability, leadership, and overall industry impact. During the evaluation stage, 60 percent of the marks came from the professional judges’ report cards, with the remaining 40 percent from online public voting. Judges scored submissions based on multiple criteria: service excellence, innovation and improvement, customer satisfaction, sustainability and responsibility, operational excellence and safety, sales and revenue performance, leadership and team development, and industry contribution. This year, SATA placed particular emphasis on sustainability, cultural authenticity, and digital innovation. “SATA brings together over 300 delegates from across the South Asian region to celebrate the best of South Asian hospitality brands,” said SATA President Ismail Hameed at a press conference held during the event. He added that international establishments such as the Taj Mahal Palace, as well as brands from Nepal and Bhutan, which are unique in their own right, took part in this year’s show. “From travel agents’ associations to hotel associations to tourism boards — all are part of SATA,” Hameed said. He noted that South Asian destinations hold great tourism potential, offering everything from cool weather and beaches to mountains, heritage, history, culture, food, and delicacies. Md Mohsin Hoq Himel, Secretary of the Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA), who attended the event, said: “BIHA has been working with the South Asian Travel Awards in Bangladesh.” Under the overall guidance of Hakim Ali, founder of BIHA, the association has participated in the prestigious event every year, he said. Through this platform, BIHA aims to highlight the service standards of Bangladesh’s local hotels and resorts, showcasing their uniqueness and distinctiveness alongside other regional hotels, Himel added. “This year, every Bangladeshi hotel and resort has achieved remarkable positions. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners.” According to representatives of Bangladesh’s hospitality sector, this international recognition will further advance the country’s tourism and hotel industry in the global market and strengthen Bangladesh’s brand image worldwide, he said. The first edition of the South Asian Travel Awards began in 2016 and has been organised by Highrise every year since, with the support of multiple associations and tourism bodies from across the South Asian region, according to the SATA website. The annual search for South Asia’s most outstanding travel organisations spans a month each year from March to April, calling upon industry professionals to name their preferred travel suppliers in the region who have risen above the competition and surpassed expectations, it read. “The awards programme continues to serve as a platform for nations to come together, not in competition, but in celebration of shared triumphs and brilliance.” Written by Nibir Ayaan