The government has proposed initiatives to create 15,000 new entrepreneurs in the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector over the next three years.
Additionally, it plans to train 25,000 SME entrepreneurs to facilitate the establishment of product display and sales centres in divisional cities, organise regional SME product fairs in districts, and develop a central database of CMSME entrepreneurs.
Moreover, the government aims to distribute Tk 10 billion in loans to 10,000 entrepreneurs in the marginal CMSME sector -- including women entrepreneurs -- and connect 3,000 women entrepreneurs with corporate buyers through digital platforms to support the sector's growth.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed proposed the initiatives during his budget speech for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Monday.
According to FY2023-24 estimates, the contribution of cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) to Bangladesh's GDP is about 11.89 per cent.
To develop this promising sector, various activities are underway to enhance entrepreneurs' skills and improve the business environment, Dr Ahmed said.
To increase financing opportunities for marginal entrepreneurs, he said low-interest loans are being provided under the credit wholesale programme, with at least 23 per cent allocated to women entrepreneurs.
In addition, support for SME development is being provided through the updating of cluster mapping and demand assessments, business management skill development via incubation centres, and the organisation of SME product fairs, among other initiatives.
Lending institutions have also been instructed to raise the share of loans to women entrepreneurs in their portfolios to at least 15 per cent, enabling easier access to finance for women in small, medium, and cottage industries.
Furthermore, a 1.0 per cent incentive is being offered to women entrepreneurs and lending institutions that repay loans on time, the adviser added.
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