The central bank has extended US$42.8 billion (Tk 3,340 billion) over 2010-2014 period to more than two million entrepreneurs involved in micro and small and medium enterprises, its chief has said.
Dr. Atiur Rahman, governor of the Bangladesh Bank, said 15 per cent of the SME refinancing facilities have also been exclusively dedicated to the women entrepreneurs.
His disclosure came at the 'Tryst with the Visionary Leadership' programme held recently in New Delhi, where he spoke as the chief guest.
The Leadership Meet was organised by IamSMEofIndia, an Integrated Association of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises of India, where Yaduvendra Mathur, Chairman and Managing Director of EXIM Bank India, Ravindra Nath, Chairman and Managing Director of National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Rajiv Chawla, Chairman of IamSMEofIndia also discussed the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in economic development in the South Asia region.
Dr Rahman said micro, small and medium entrepreneurs of this region have been significantly contributing towards economic growth and development for decades, the central bank said in a statement.
He recounted that for some years now, the BB has been guiding the entire financial sector to ensure inclusive financing support for output activities of farm or non-farm MSMEs.
In fact, the BB has stepped in to render a deliberate growth-supportive directional bias in financing by promoting a socially-responsible inclusive and environmentally-sustainable institutional ethos in the financial sector.
Policy strategies of the BB have identified thrust areas for socially-responsible financing, one of which being MSMEs in the rural and urban areas. Agriculture and environment-friendly green financing for renewable energy are also included in the thrust areas.
Dr. Rahman shed light on the BB initiatives for the development of MSMEs and women entrepreneurs.
He told the audience that over the period 2010-2014, the central bank has extended MSME loans worth Tk 3,340 billion (USD 42.8 billion) to 2.2 million entrepreneurs.
Also, 15 per cent of the SME refinancing facilities have been exclusively dedicated to the women entrepreneurs.
The governor said, 'Our entrepreneurs are increasingly focusing on strengthening relationship with dedicated international organisations in exploring ways to develop this sector.
He also welcomed the assistance of IamSMEofIndia in developing an MSME association in Bangladesh.
Small firms get $42.8b loan in four years
FE Desk | Published: August 27, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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