Grameenphone (GP) has partnered with Apon Bazaar to expand digital connectivity and telecom services for Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) workforce through a retail distribution model aimed at making mobile services more accessible to factory workers.
Under the agreement, Grameenphone has appointed Apon Bazaar as a distribution partner and introduced a shop-in-shop model within Apon Bazaar outlets, allowing garment workers to access telecom products and services through the retailer’s existing network. The agreement was signed at GPHouse in Dhaka, the companies said in a press release.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Shareef Mahmood Khan, Head of Sales & Distribution at Grameenphone, and Shaikh Saif Al Rashid, Founder and Managing Director of Apon Bazaar, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
Customers visiting Apon Bazaar outlets will be able to access a range of Grameenphone products and services, including new SIM activations, SIM replacements, scratch cards, data packs, voice bundles and combo packs.
Farha Naz Zaman, Chief Marketing Officer of Grameenphone, said the partnership was intended to bring digital connectivity closer to a large segment of workers with growing digital needs.
“At Grameenphone, we are committed to making digital connectivity more accessible and relevant to every segment of society. Through this partnership with Apon Bazaar, we are bringing our products and services closer to the RMG workforce by integrating telecom access into their everyday retail ecosystem. This initiative reflects our continued efforts to deliver greater convenience, empower communities through connectivity, and support Bangladesh’s ongoing digital transformation,” she said.
Shaikh Saif Al Rashid said digital inclusion had become essential for economic empowerment and that the partnership was designed to narrow the digital divide for industrial workers.
“At Apon, we believe digital inclusion is no longer a privilege but a prerequisite for economic empowerment. Our partnership with Grameenphone is designed to bridge the digital divide by bringing affordable connectivity, digital services, and essential telecom products closer to industrial workers. By leveraging Apon’s trusted presence within factories and worker communities, we aim to improve their livelihoods and strengthen their long-term resilience,” he said.
Representing Grameenphone at the signing ceremony were Farha Naz Zaman, Chief Marketing Officer; Sk Iftekhar Ahmed, Head of Distribution; and Md Nasiruzzaman Choudhury, Head of Sales Planning. Apon Bazaar was represented by Shaikh Saif Al Rashid, Founder and Managing Director; Yasir Arafat, Director – Business; Rezwanul Ahasan Rupom, Operations Lead; Kaniz Ahmed, Manager – External & Corporate Affairs; and Zinia Ibnat, Project Coordinator.
The collaboration forms part of Grameenphone’s strategy to develop customer-focused distribution channels that improve service accessibility, enhance customer experience and promote wider digital inclusion across Bangladesh. According to the company, Grameenphone serves more than 84.2 million subscribers and its mobile network covers more than 99% of the country’s population.
