According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Bangladesh’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector is grappling with a financing shortfall of US $ 2.8 billion.
With nearly 10 million SMEs contributing approximately 25 per cent to the country’s GDP, the imperative to enhance SME financing was emphasized on Tuesday.
In a collaborative effort with Bangladesh Bank and the Government of Norway, the IFC organised a conference in Dhaka to delve into various facets of financing for small and medium enterprises in Bangladesh.
The event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world, fostering discussions to nurture a resilient and inclusive environment for SME financing in the country.
The conference addressed the partnership between IFC and Bangladesh Bank, the outcomes of an impact assessment study on women-owned SMEs, emerging trends in next-generation SME financing, and global best practices in SME financing.
