Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Bank has instructed all banks and financial institutions to allocate 20 per cent of their environmentally friendly financing specifically to women entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, the cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSME) sector will receive 25 per cent of this green financing, according to a circular issued by the central bank today (17 March).
The circular also mandates that banks must allocate 15 per cent of their total CMSME loans to women entrepreneurs. At present, banks are required to allocate 5 per cent of their total loans to the environmentally friendly sector.
The central bank underscored the vital role of the CMSME sector and women-led enterprises in fostering inclusive development and sustainable industrialisation in Bangladesh.
Despite ongoing efforts to empower women and promote gender equality, financing for these sectors remains below the desired level, the circular noted.
The Bangladesh Bank urged banks and financial institutions to increase their financial support for these sectors to drive economic growth and help achieve the government’s sustainable development goals.
