Executive Vice Chairman of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) Prof Dr Mohammad Helal Uddin on Thursday said scaling up and localising interventions have become essential, particularly in the context of declining foreign aid.

He emphasised the need to expand access to finance to enable marginalised communities to realise their untapped potential, with special focus on small borrowers who are often overlooked.

Speaking as the chief guest at a programme, Prof Helal noted that BRAC continues to serve as a role model, with opportunities to extend its impact even further.

Additional Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division under the Ministry of Finance Md Saeed Kutub said receiving an international award of this nature is not only a great honour for BRAC but also a matter of national pride.

Speaking as special guest, he said the recognition reflects BRAC’s significant role in supporting communities, despite the challenges of a complex sector such as microfinance.

Executive Director of BRAC Asif Saleh said with recognition comes greater responsibility.

"As a market leader, BRAC Microfinance carries many such responsibilities, and we are committed to upholding them," he said.

Asif said BRAC Microfinance has long sought to reach communities often beyond the reach of traditional banks, providing financial services that are a basic necessity for everyone.

"The mission remains to expand access to finance, particularly to hard-to-reach areas, and to support those with no one to speak or act on their behalf. Every step forward underscores the need to stay true to the organisation’s vision, widening the net of financial inclusion while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability," he said.

He added, "Beyond advancing financial inclusion, BRAC continues to play a transformative role in social development across Bangladesh, from healthcare and education to youth skills development and extreme poverty alleviation. Our aim is to support people in a holistic sense, helping them not only to achieve financial stability but also to enhance their overall well-being and lead lives of dignity and self-reliance."

While delivering the welcome address, Arinjoy Dhar, Senior Director of BRAC’s Microfinance Programme, highlighted that in 2025, BRAC Microfinance received the prestigious MFR Gold Certification, being one of only eight organisations worldwide to achieve this recognition.

He noted that the true credit goes to the field staff, whose unwavering dedication and commitment to serving clients made this accomplishment possible.

Also present from BRAC at the event were Sabbir Ahmed, Chief Financial Officer; KAM Morshed, Senior Director, Advocacy, Innovation and MEAL; AFM Shahidur Rahman, Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL); Mafruza Khan, Director, Global Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships; Brigadier General Rakib Uddin Ahmed (R), Director, Operations;  Nafiul Hasan, Associate Director, Advocacy for Change; Shashwatee Biplob, Associate Director, SELP and Gender Justice and Diversity (GJD) Programme; Shariful Islam Hasan, Associate Director,BRAC Migration Programme and BRAC Youth Platform; Md Belayet Hossain, Associate Director, Dabi, Microfinance; and Amit Kanti Sarker, Associate Director, Progoti, Microfinance; Md Reaz Uddin, Chief Operating Officer, Microfinance.

The event also included an open discussion session, during which the invited guests and BRAC officials responded to a variety of questions from attending journalists, and a detailed conversation was held on the state of the country’s microfinance sector.

This is the second time BRAC Microfinance has received this recognition. BRAC first achieved the CPC Gold certification in 2016.

As the only institution in Bangladesh to earn this distinction, BRAC’s recognition marks a proud milestone for the entire microfinance sector of the country.

This achievement ensures that over 14 million clients under BRAC’s Microfinance Programme continue to receive services that are safe, fair, and dignified.

It reaffirms BRAC’s position as a global leader in responsible microfinance.

The Gold-level CPC certification stands as an international testament to BRAC’s leadership in this field.

BRAC has become the only organisation in Bangladesh to receive the prestigious Client Protection Certification (CPC) Gold, in recognition of its commitment to ensuring maximum protection for clients.

The certification was recently awarded to BRAC’s Microfinance Programme by the international organisation MicroFinanza Rating (MFR), representing the highest global recognition for excellence in client protection and responsible financial services.

To celebrate this achievement, the event was held at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Dhaka.

It was shared at the event that the CPC Gold certification is awarded based on compliance with eight international principles.

These include client-centric product design, prevention of over-indebtedness, transparency, responsible pricing, privacy of client data, and mechanisms for complaint resolution.

For the past five decades, BRAC’s Microfinance Programme has played a pioneering role in advancing financial inclusion in Bangladesh.

To date, the programme has reached more than 40 million people, 90 per cent of whom are women.

Through its financing initiatives, millions of small entrepreneurs, farmers, and women have achieved economic resilience, bringing positive changes to their lives and livelihoods.