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BRAC Bank, BBDN secure corporate hiring commitments for persons with disabilities

Published : Tuesday, 10 November, 2026 at 10:26 AM

Press Release

Collected Photo

BRAC Bank and the Bangladesh Business & Disability Network (BBDN) have brought together leading employers, government representatives and development partners to advance disability-inclusive employment, securing corporate commitments to expand job and internship opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The commitments were announced at the third edition of EmpowerAbility: Powering Every Ability 2026, a conference jointly hosted by BRAC Bank and BBDN at Le Méridien Dhaka under the bank's flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Aporajeyo Ami.

At the conference, URMI Group pledged to ensure that persons with disabilities represent at least 1% of its workforce by the end of 2027. Le Méridien Dhaka committed to providing internships to at least 20 graduates with disabilities through BBDN, while BRAC Bank pledged to recruit at least five qualified persons with disabilities annually.

Max Tuñón, Country Director of the Internatioal Labour Organisation (ILO), attended as special guest.

The conference focused on creating meaningful employment opportunities through inclusive recruitment, skills development, accessible workplaces and assistive technologies. Participants discussed how businesses, government institutions and development organisations could work together to remove barriers to employment for persons with disabilities.

A panel discussion moderated by Murteza Rafi Khan, CEO of BBDN, brought together representatives from the Directorate of Technical Education, Bangladesh Bank, the British High Commission, BRAC, Bata and disability rights specialists. The discussion explored practical measures to translate inclusion policies into employment opportunities.

The event also featured demonstrations of artificial intelligence and assistive technologies designed to improve accessibility, including solutions supporting sign language.

Zhou Haibin, Founder and Executive Director of Easy Inclusion and Secretary General of the ILO Global Business and Disability Network China Chapter, shared international perspectives on disability inclusion in workplaces.

Endre Olsvik, Founder and CEO of SignLab and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, demonstrated technology designed to improve access to sign language.

BRAC Bank and BBDN also highlighted their ongoing skills development and employment initiatives for persons with disabilities, including the Rajshahi Job Fair. A participant in an upskilling programme shared their experience.

Other corporate participants expressed their support for disability inclusion. Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited reaffirmed its commitment to equal employment opportunities, inclusive recruitment and reasonable workplace accommodations. M. M. Ispahani Limited expressed interest in collaborating with BBDN on accessibility, rehabilitation, assistive technology and community awareness.

Ekram Kabir, Chief Communication Officer of BRAC Bank, delivered the welcome remarks, while Ardashir Kabir, Chairman of the BBDN Board of Trustees, gave the vote of thanks.

The conference reinforced the need for sustained collaboration among employers, policymakers and development partners to create accessible workplaces and expand meaningful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities across Bangladesh.