Speakers in a workshop on Sunday emphasized the need for extending the stimulus loan repayment schedule and relaxing the existing conditions to accelerate the disbursement of loans in the SME sector.  They also laid emphasis on a transparent policy ensuring inclusiveness and transparent policy response so that SMEs and women-led enterprises can tackle the Covid-induced challenges. Read: Stimulus loan for CMSMEs: Disbursement may miss Dec deadline They said the pandemic shock is still there in the business, and the price hike of raw materials has created a problem for the small enterprises to grow as the product price at the consumer level is not increasing.  The workshop, held at a city hotel, focused on 'Covid-induced stimulus packages for SME's and women-led enterprises exploring research policy interlaces.  Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Tazul Islam said the government always appreciates research work and innovations for financial inclusion.  The government is implementing various stimulus packages with a special focus on the CMSME sector so that it can rebound soon, he said. Read: 50 years of Bangladesh: FICCI to unveil 3 growth drivers on FDI  CPD research director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem presented the keynote paper on the topic.  Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg Von Linde said Bangladesh women entrepreneurs are doing well and their country will continue to support them.  Kazi Nabil Ahmed, member of the parliamentary standing committee on Finance Ministry, was present at the programme moderated by CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun.    

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Thursday called for concerted efforts to sustain entrepreneurs and employment in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bangladesh’s rural economy is going to be under pressure as a significant number of people from urban areas are returning to their respective villages losing the sources of their earnings due to Covid-19 fallout, says an expert.

FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim on Wednesday urged the country’s banks to take quick steps to disburse the stimulus money declared by the government to stave off the impact of the coronavirus on the economy.

The Ministry of Industries has sought Tk 1,100 crore as seed money for the small entrepreneurs who remain outside the banking system and cannot avail of fund from the stimulus package announced for the SME sector to overcome the impacts of coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday put immense importance to research on demand, production and marketing to flourish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the country.

President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Shams Mahmud on Monday urged the government to bring the SME sector under the single-digit lending facility for the sake of speedy industrialisation and investment.