MetLife Bangladesh yesterday launched an “innovation centre” in Dhaka, a first for insurers, aiming to shift mindsets and benefit the entire industry.

Syed Hammadul Karim, general manager of MetLife Bangladesh, and Zia Zaman, chief innovation officer of MetLife Asia, inaugurated the centre at a programme held at Metlife Building in Dhaka.

The centre will work on ways to change traditional cultures of the industry, grow trust and identify the sector's problems, said Zaman, adding that it would explore new products focusing on health and education through innovation.

“Without innovation, survival is impossible for a sector,” he said.

The centre will work to enhance customer satisfaction with insurance products and explore ideas on what can be done for the emerging middle class, he added.

He emphasised using technology in the insurance sector to reach people easily as well as grow trust.

The new 380-square feet innovation centre is located at the MetLife Building in Motijheel.

Talented associates can come together to share and develop innovative ideas using the innovation centre, said Karim.