BRAC Bank has partnered with SME Foundation to expand access to finance for cottage, micro and small enterprises, with a focus on women-led businesses and manufacturing units, under a new lending initiative aimed at supporting underserved entrepreneurs.
The agreement was signed in Dhaka on 9 April by BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Tareq Refat Ullah Khan and SME Foundation Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, in the presence of BRAC Bank Additional Managing Director and Head of SME Banking Syed Abdul Momen.
The collaboration is designed to improve financing access for small enterprises across the country and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Under the SME Foundation’s revolving fund credit wholesaling programme, Tk300 crore will be channelled through banks and financial institutions, with loans ranging from Tk1 lakh to Tk25 lakh.
BRAC Bank will disburse Tk40 crore from the fund, offering loans to eligible enterprises without requiring collateral.
The financing will be provided at a concessional interest rate of 8 per cent, with priority given to manufacturing businesses, cluster-based enterprises and women-led ventures nationwide.
Industries, Commerce, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir attended the signing ceremony as chief guest, while SME Foundation Chairman and Ministry of Industries Secretary Md Obaidur Rahman presided over the event.
Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar and senior officials from participating banks and financial institutions were also present.
BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Tareq Refat Ullah Khan said the partnership builds on longstanding cooperation with SME Foundation and will help scale up financing outreach and impact, particularly for women entrepreneurs and manufacturing enterprises.
The initiative is part of the bank’s broader strategy to strengthen partnerships and develop financing solutions to expand credit access for small businesses across Bangladesh.
