Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan has emphasized that the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector that contributes nearly 30 per cent to the national GDP accounts for approximately 85 per cent of industrial employment in Bangladesh.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Buyer-Seller Summit 2025, jointly organized by SME Foundation and the World Bank Group, Bangladesh, Khan noted that the event aims to strengthen relationships between buyers and sellers, open new market opportunities, and boost entrepreneurs’ confidence.
Khan also recognized the ongoing efforts of SME Foundation in supporting policy initiatives, providing entrepreneur training, developing technology, expanding markets, and promoting women entrepreneurship.
The Foundation has assisted around 2,800 entrepreneurs with loans amounting to Tk1.85 billion, according to a press release.
Khan added that initiatives like the summit enable grassroots entrepreneurs from various clusters to directly connect with commercial buyers, create new market opportunities, and receive mentoring to help scale their businesses.
The event, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Institute of Architects, Agargaon, Dhaka, also featured Jean Pém, Division Director of the World Bank Group; Hosna Ferdous Sumi, Senior Private Sector Specialist; Mushfiqur Rahman, Chairperson of SME Foundation; and entrepreneurs from across the country. The welcome address was delivered by Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, Managing Director of SME Foundation.
This year’s summit highlighted 46 entrepreneurs from 17 sectors including leather, light engineering, handloom, home textile, bamboo-cane, wood, pottery, and jewelry, along with 12 women-led enterprises. Nearly 50 chain buyer houses also participated in the event.
After the discussions, the Industry Advisor and World Bank Director visited an exhibition displaying products created by the participating entrepreneurs.
