Published : 14 Jan 2013, 08:54 AM
Updated : 23 Apr 2022, 03:56 PM
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) are jointly organising the “Business Edge Training Program” for 500 entrepreneurs, a media release said.
’Business Edge’ is an IFC training solution designed to improve management capacity and business performance of the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) around the world, the release said.
The training program will focus on preparing business plans taking care of marketing, finance, production and financial management by the SMEs.
The entrepreneurs have been selected from across Bangladesh by regional associations, commercials banks and the partner financial institutions of JICA that funds a project implemented by Bangladesh Bank called “Financial Sector Project for the Development of SME”.
Trainers of IFC and Bangladesh Bank will conduct the courses with special emphasis on the ongoing JICA financed Project for the SMEs under Bangladesh Bank, the media release said.
A total of 20 training courses will be conducted in Dhaka, Chittagong, Comilla, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Cox Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Noakhali, Narayanganj, Sylhet, Rangpur, Bogra, Naogaon, Rajshahi, Pabna, Faridpur, Jessore, Khulna and Barisal.
It said the entrepreneurs will not only benefit from the program but also can take the advantage of its links to the commercial banks for SME loans under JICA assistance , though only after ‘fulfilling the requirements’.
Under the JICA project, the media release said, long term credit facility of around Tk 428 crore will be disbursed to the eligible SMEs.
The main focus of the credit facility is to boost manufacturing sector by providing loan for initial working capital to finance fixed asset purchases, securing technical know-how and availing of consultancy services and training.
Each sub-loan size will vary between Tk 5 lakh to 5 crore.
Maturity of each sub loan to banks vary between a period of 2 to 8 years with as much of a grace period.
Japan and South Korea, and later China, has become booing economies primarily by developing small and medium entrepreneurship that has extended production lines and cut down costs to make products competitive.
