Experts on Monday highlighted five key barriers hindering the Cottage, Micro, and Small Enterprises (CMSE) sector’s growth in Bangladesh: limited financing, lack of market access, inadequate institutional support, negative impacts of climate change, and infrastructural challenges.
They spoke at a roundtable discussion on “Barriers and Opportunities in the CMSE Sector in Cox’s Bazar” held on July 28, 2025 at a local hotel in Cox’s Bazar, organised by BRAC under its Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox’s Bazar (ISEC) project.
The event aimed to explore the challenges and potentials of the CMSE sector and discuss solutions for its sustainable development.
“CMSE plays a vital role in local economic development, contributing about 25-27% to GDP, but faces several challenges,” said Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Md. Mokbul Hossain who was the chief guest at the event.
He acknowledged the difficulties in securing loans, saying, “If any entrepreneur faces denial despite fulfilling all conditions, they can file a complaint directly with Bangladesh Bank, and we will take appropriate actions.”
The event also saw the participation of Bangladesh Bank Director Md. Arifuzzaman and other stakeholders from government, civil society, and local industries.
Khondkar Fakhrul Alam, lead of the ISEC project, highlighted how the sector contributes to local economic upliftment and stressed the importance of skill development for entrepreneurship.
Ruchika Behal, head of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Cox’s Bazar, discussed the need for international partnerships to support CMSE growth. Meanwhile, Moazzem Hossain, deputy director of Youth Development, underscored the importance of youth skill development programs.
The discussion also referenced data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, indicating over 7.9 million CMSEs in the country, underlining the sector’s role in the national economy.
Jahanara Islam, president of the Bangladesh Cox’s Bazar Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, concluded the session, calling for strategies to overcome the barriers and strengthen the CMSE sector’s role in local development.