BRAC Bank has entered a strategic knowledge partnership with Daffodil International University (DIU) to develop research-driven solutions for Bangladesh’s cottage, micro, small and medium enterprise sector, the two institutions said Saturday. The agreement was signed under FINNOVISION, the bank’s SME Innovation Lab, in Dhaka.
The tie-up combines BRAC Bank’s expertise in SME banking with DIU’s academic and research capabilities, aiming to promote evidence-based innovation, impact assessment, knowledge exchange and the co-creation of scalable solutions for sustainable development of the CMSME sector.
DIU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammed Masum Iqbal and Dean of the Faculty of Business & Entrepreneurship Professor Dr Mohammad Rokibul Kabir represented the university at the signing event. BRAC Bank was represented by Additional Managing Director and Head of SME Banking Syed Abdul Momen, Head of Cottage, Micro & Small Business (Unit-1) Alomgir Hossain, and Head of SME Strategy, Innovation & New Business Mohammad Jakirul Islam.
FINNOVISION is BRAC Bank’s flagship SME Innovation Lab, built around four strategic pillars: women’s entrepreneurship, smart agriculture, climate resilience, and the formalisation of cottage and microenterprises. The platform brings together academia, industry and development partners to develop innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Syed Abdul Momen said the bank wanted to go beyond financing by sharing knowledge, facilitating innovation and developing scalable solutions, describing the partnership with Daffodil International University as an important step towards creating lasting impact for grassroots entrepreneurs and the CMSME sector in Bangladesh, according to a press release.
