Supporting the Future of Bangladesh’s MSME Sector

Humaira Azam 
Managing Director 
LankaBangla Finance PLC

Beyond financing, we provide dedicated service desks, financial literacy programmes, advisory support and networking opportunities to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses and expand their market reach.

As Bangladesh’s CMSME sector continues to evolve, financial institutions are playing a crucial role in supporting sustainable enterprises. In conversation with The Daily Star, Humaira Azam, Managing Director of LankaBangla Finance PLC, discusses how they are expanding access to finance, embracing digital transformation and preparing the country’s MSMEs for the future.

The Daily Star (TDS): How is your bank changing its plans to support this group of entrepreneurs?

Humaira Azam (HA): At LankaBangla Finance PLC, this theme closely aligns with our long-standing commitment to the CMSME sector. Since launching our CMSME operations in 2014, we have served more than 33,000 clients and disbursed over Tk 13,500 crore in financing. Today, CMSMEs account for more than 43 per cent of our total portfolio. Beyond financing, we are strengthening partnerships with universities, startup incubators, accelerators and business associations to provide mentorship, networking opportunities and business development support.

TDS: What new methods are you using to provide financing without collateral, and are these reaching people who have never had a bank account before?

HA: Access to finance remains one of the biggest challenges for small enterprises. To address this, we are increasingly adopting innovative and data-driven credit assessment methods that reduce dependence on traditional collateral requirements.

We are actively working to bring previously unbanked entrepreneurs into the formal financial system through accessible financing solutions and simplified onboarding processes.

TDS: How do you ensure that small businesses in remote villages receive the same banking support as those in major cities?

HA: We have built a nationwide presence through 27 branches and around 45 Mobile Lending Officers strategically deployed across underserved regions. This extensive outreach allows us to maintain close engagement with local business communities across most parts of the country. Currently, around 46.5 per cent of our CMSME portfolio is located outside Dhaka and Chattogram.

TDS: What special loan packages or services do you offer to help youth and women entrepreneurs grow their businesses?

HA: Our dedicated products, Anannya for women entrepreneurs and Somporko for new entrepreneurs, offer competitive financing terms, including concessional rates under Bangladesh Bank refinancing schemes, simplified application procedures and flexible repayment structures. To date, we have provided 2,695 loans to women entrepreneurs worth more than Tk 692 crore, while 2,203 young entrepreneurs have received financing exceeding Tk 157 crore.