Sonia Bashir Kabir, managing director of Microsoft Bangladesh, has recently been recognised as an SDG pioneer by the United Nations Global Compact for her immense contribution to the empowerment of the country's women in technology sector.

To celebrate this achievement, The Daily Star yesterday arranged a ceremony at its office. Many noted personalities, including her friends, colleagues and well-wishers, were present to pass on their felicitations.

Mustafa Jabbar, president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services, said leaders like her are essential for taking the country's information and technology sector forward.

Kamran Bakr, chairman and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd, said the achievement is an “exceedingly great recognition” and that Bangladesh, including the corporate sector, is elated.

“We in The Daily Star partake in her achievement and would like to share our joy and rejoice together,” said Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star.

He also handed over a crest as a token of appreciation to Sonia.

Arfan Ali, managing director of Bank Asia, hoped that taking inspiration from her great recognition, Sonia would dedicate herself more to the betterment of the country's people.

Lauding Sonia as a "wonderful personality", Rubaba Dowla Matin, managing director of PlusOne, said that Sonia as a pioneering technology giant is always inspirational for her business acumen.

Thanking everyone for the reception, Sonia Bashir Kabir said women in rural parts of Bangladesh are full of energy. She added that all they need is the support to flourish and contribute to the Bangladesh's economy.

Sonia is also a member of the Board of Directors and co-founder of D Money, a financial start-up. She advocates digital literacy for women and has led programmes to increase women's participation in IT workforce.

Through Microsoft, she has worked to arrange micro-loans for women to found IT businesses.

Among others, Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation; Sonia Kabir's husband Ihtisham Kabir, her brother Aref Bashir and noted software engineer Mahboob Zaman attended the ceremony.