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.

The industries at Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial estate in Pabna are continuing their activities amid the coronavirus outbreak to ensure supply of medicines and essentials.

Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) has decided to postpone loan instalment collection for the next three months under its Own Credit Programme.   The decision was taken in light of the ongoing the global coronavirus pandemic, said a press release from Industries Ministry on Sunday.   BSCIC started Own Credit Programme in 2015-16 fiscal year with Tk 15 crore. Under the programme, Tk 33 crore has been disbursed as loans while its collection rate is 96 percent.   Meanwhile, BSCIC directed all industrial officials, chiefs of Industrial Help Centre to work in a concerted way in providing assistance to the industries involved in producing food and treatment equipment.   BSCIC has taken the decision to keep the industrial sector dynamic during this time of global pandemic.   It also directed to ensure the health safety of the workers involved in this small and cottage sectors.