Bangladesh Bank (BB) has sought support from mayors of municipalities across the country as part of its fresh move to identify small and medium entrepreneurs. “We’ve sent letter to mayors of municipalities Tuesday across the country requesting them to inform us about the real small entrepreneurs and industry cluster as the central bank is giving such entrepreneurs many incentives including advices and credit facilities,” said a central bank official.

Many small and medium entrepreneurs can easily take loan from banks but a good number of such entrepreneurs, especially those living in rural areas, are not availing this opportunity due to lack of information, the BB official added.

Earlier, the central bank sent letters to cambers and deputy commissioners across the country seeking their support about the small entrepreneurs.

Besides, the BB sent SMS (short message service) to subscribers of private cell-phone operators Grameen Phone and Airtel to inform them about the availability of bank loan for medium and small enterprise (SME).

“Entrepreneurs of the SME sector, especially those living in rural areas, borrow money at higher interest rate from rural lenders but banks are ready to give them loan with low interest.

We want to inform them about it,” said Sokomal Singha Chowdhury, general manager of the SME and Specialised Programmes Department.
“We’ll send letter to union parishad chairmen across the country seeking their support about it,” he added.

News: The Daily Independent/Bangladesh/13th-Dec-12