BM Desk:

Southeast Bank PLC held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (CMSME) entrepreneurs as part of an ongoing research project by the SME and Special Programs Department of Bangladesh Bank. The research aims to identify the demand and supply gap in medium to long-term SME financing.

Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman, Director of the SME and Special Programs Department, inaugurated the program as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Joint Directors of Bangladesh Bank, Shamch Tibrees Bhuiyan and Mamunur Rashid. The program was chaired by Nuruddin Md. Sadeque Hossain, Managing Director of Southeast Bank. Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Deputy Managing Director, along with other high officials of the bank, also participated in the discussion.

The FGD provided a valuable platform for CMSME entrepreneurs to voice their concerns and challenges regarding access to medium and long-term financing. The discussions focused on:

Current challenges faced by CMSMEs in securing financing; Demand for specific types of financing products; Recommendations for improving access to financing; Role of financial institutions in supporting CMSME growth; The insights gathered from this FGD will be crucial in contributing to the research project and informing future policies and initiatives aimed at bridging the gap in SME financing. This collaboration between Southeast Bank and Bangladesh Bank demonstrates their commitment to promoting the growth and development of the CMSME sector in Bangladesh.

Southeast Bank has a long-standing commitment to supporting the CMSME sector. The bank offers a range of financial products and services tailored to the specific needs of small businesses, including working capital loans, term loans, and trade finance facilities. In addition, the bank provides dedicated support services and training programs to help entrepreneurs build their businesses.

Bangladesh Bank has implemented various initiatives to promote the growth of the CMSME sector, including: Establishment of a dedicated SME and Special Programs Department; Introduction of new financing schemes; Relaxation of collateral requirements; Provision of training and capacity building programs.

These initiatives have contributed significantly to the growth of the CMSME sector in Bangladesh. However, there is still a need to address the gap in medium and long-term financing for small businesses. The research project being undertaken by Bangladesh Bank, with the participation of institutions like Southeast Bank, is a positive step towards bridging this gap and ensuring that small businesses have access to the resources they need to grow and thrive.