BRAC Bank has formally launched intensive training for promising SME business owners under the Entrepreneurship Development Programme of Bangladesh Bank.
Bangladesh Bank has taken the lead in this capacity-building initiative under the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP) to groom the up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) sector.
The unique training initiative titled ‘Entrepreneurship Development Programme’ for the first batch was formally inaugurated at a ceremony at BRAC Bank Head Office in Dhaka on August 25, 2025.
Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, inaugurated the training as the chief guest. Ms. Husne Ara Shikha, Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank; and Mohammed Walid Hossain, Additional Secretary, Finance Division, and Executive Program Director (EPD) of SICIP, attended as the special guests.
Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO (Current Charge), BRAC Bank; Nawshad Mustafa, Director, SME & Special Programmes Department; Md. Nazrul Islam, Program Director, and Additional Director, SME & Special Programmes Department, Bangladesh Bank; Syed Abdul Momen, Additional Managing Director and Head of SME Banking, BRAC Bank, were present.
BRAC Bank will host a month-long training for CMSME entrepreneurs at its premises, featuring expert resource persons from Bangladesh Bank and BRAC Bank. The training programme is aimed at facilitating potential business owners in developing and honing entrepreneurial and managerial skills to expand and sustain their businesses.
The programme is funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and managed by SICIP Project of Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, and implemented by SME and Special Programmes Department of Bangladesh Bank.
Commenting on the initiative, Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO (Current Charge), BRAC Bank, said: “As an SME-focused bank, BRAC Bank always emphasises on ensuring easy access to finance for new entrepreneurs. We also arrange intensive training to help them run their business smoothly. This training shows our strong commitment to grassroots entrepreneurship development in the country.”
“This training will help equip entrepreneurs with essential skills to expand their businesses and drive growth. We believe the initiative by Bangladesh Bank will further accelerate the country’s economic momentum, and we are grateful for the opportunity to organise such a significant and impactful programme,” he added.