Finance for Enterprise Development and Employment Creation Project

There is a good potential for developing the microfinance sector in Bangladesh. To expand and grow, small businesses need capital and especially loans. An estimated 5 million potential borrowers would benefit from greater access to financial services and markets.

The project will develop the microfinance sector in Bangladesh to support micro businesses, and it will help small businesses improve and expand production through training and initiatives promoting market chain development. Borrowers will comprise people in the moderately poor category, most of whom farm up to half an acre of agricultural land. Women are expected to make up about 90 per cent of borrowers. Increased productivity will help improve household food security and nutrition, and will boost women's empowerment. Project activities will improve income-generating opportunities for rural people living in severe poverty, who have low food security and lack basic assets such as land.

Source: IFAD