Bangladesh: Banks urged to support SMEs
The numerable packages in saving schemes, monthly deposit, loan schemes etc. have played a role to close the gap between bank and the cross-section of people.
Still it is noticed that there has not been such banking packages to support the big client group belonging to small and medium enterprises.
Bangladesh's banking sector has been going through massive development due to favourable policy of the government. They already have a significant number of private sector banks and these banks now offer short to long term packages for their respective clients. For their successful performance, not necessarily only the businessmen but also housewives and potential entrepreneurs nowadays have access to banking services.
There are many women who have got success in small business and do feel the financial need to graduate themselves with better ventures. But these women are not always able to meet the banks' official requirements.
A few banks have already extended support and provided collateral-free loan of a limited amount. But this category loans, however, have created further needs to help them in utilising their potential to the maximum. It is learnt that some entrepreneurs who have been enjoying the short-term loans now feel the need for bigger loans from their banks. But the bank authorities could not extend such loans or increase their amount due to the legal limitations enforced by the central bank.
The Financial Express believes that due to successful efforts in micro-credit, there is a good number of small and mid level entrepreneurs including women who will be the major clients of many banks in coming days. So banks should concentrate on introducing SME-friendly or women-friendly banking schemes by changing the existing rules and regulations.