Citi Bank Bangladesh launches 2017 micro-entrepreneurship award programme

Citi Bank NA, Bangladesh, with the support of Citi Foundation, has launched the 2017 edition of Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) Program.

An advisory council chaired by Dhaka University Economics Professor Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, opened the programme, now in its 13th year in Bangladesh, at an event in Dhaka on Saturday.

The programme seeks to highlight the achievements of some of the most innovative micro-entrepreneurs in the country, Citi said in a media release.

This year, Citi Foundation is committing $3 million to the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards programme, which will take place in 30 countries, including Bangladesh.

The 2017 CMA Program is jointly organised by Citibank NA, Bangladesh and SAJIDA Foundation.

The programme aims to ensure recognition of small business owners throughout Bangladesh for their efforts in creating sustainable businesses in their communities, according to the release.

The competition and judging process will continue through May 2018 when the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Dhaka.

Awards will be given in categories like ‘Best Microentrepreneur of the Year’ with award money of Tk 450,000, Citi said in the release.

The award money for ‘Best Women Microentrepreneur of the Year’, ‘Best Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year’, and ‘Best Microentrepreneur of the Year in Agriculture’ categories is Tk 350,000 each.

Citi will also give the awards in 'Best Microfinance Institution of the Year’ and ‘Most Innovative Microfinance Institution of the Year’ categories.

Last year, 14 micro enterprises received the awards, according to the media release.