Review of SME Credit-related Policies of Bangladesh Bank – Areas of further improvement with a focus on Micro and Small Enterprise (mSE) Finance

Research Team: Sajjad Zohir, K. A. M. Majedur Rahman, Md. Iqbal Hossain, Anika Anjum

Sponsored By: Nathan Associates (London) Limited

The overall objective of the study was to understand the stakeholder perspectives and experience of using the mE and SME policy of BB.

The main objectives were: Recommending suitable unified definition of mSMEs that will contribute to the current draft SME Strategy document of the Ministry of Industry;
Appraising the feasibility of developing two separate policies on mSEs and medium enterprises financing for BB, and
Making recommendations for further improvements of BB SME Policy.

Knowledge of SME development, both locally and in neighbouring countries, was strengthened through this assignment. Networks were built comprising SME clusters, key players in the value chain, association of entrepreneurs, government personnel, various chambers of industry and commerce, local projects and NGOs, and relevant external development partners.

This study involved Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews with stakeholders involved in financing enterprises, as well as entrepreneurs in micro and small enterprises. Specific contacts were established with sector-specific associations and clusters of SMEs in Bhoirob, Narsingdi, Sirajganj, Bogra and Dhaka. In addition, surveys were administered on selected clusters of micro and small enterprises in Dhaka city.

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