The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector in Bangladesh faces a financing gap of $2.8 billion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). With nearly 10 million SMEs contributing about 25 percent of the country’s GDP, enhancing SME financing is crucial for economic growth. IFC, in collaboration with
Bangladesh Bank and the government of Norway organized a conference in Dhaka to explore various aspects of SME financing. The event covered topics such as the partnership between IFC and Bangladesh Bank, an impact assessment study on women-owned SMEs, next-generation SME financing trends, and global best practices.
Challenges and opportunities in SME financing were also discussed, along with solutions and innovations aligned with global SME finance developments. The conference highlighted joint efforts to strengthen SME financing, including the development of Bangladesh’s first Credit Guarantee Scheme.