BRAC Bank has launched the second batch of its intensive training for promising SME business owners in Sirajganj under the Entrepreneurship Development Programme of the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance and Bangladesh Bank.

With support from the Finance Division and Bangladesh Bank, the bank will conduct a month-long training programme for entrepreneurs in the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprise (CMSME) sector in the district.

The Finance Division has initiated the capacity-building initiative under the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP), with technical and implementation support from Bangladesh Bank, to groom up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

The second batch of the 'Entrepreneurship Development Programme' was formally inaugurated at a ceremony at a hotel in Sirajganj on 6 November, 2025.

Md Shakhawat Hossain, Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank Bogura Office, inaugurated the training as chief guest. Md Ayub Ali, Joint Director and Deputy Program Director (DPD), SME and Special Programmes Department, BB–SICIP, and Saidur Rahman Baccu, President of the Sirajganj Chamber of Commerce, attended as special guests.

From BRAC Bank, Biplab Kumar Biswas, Head of Small Business (North); Md Mohsinur Rahman, Head of SME Business Support; and senior officials were present.

BRAC Bank will host the month-long training for CMSME entrepreneurs at its premises, facilitated by resource persons from Bangladesh Bank and BRAC Bank. The programme aims to help potential business owners develop entrepreneurial and managerial skills to expand and sustain their ventures.

The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), managed by the SICIP Project of the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, and implemented by the SME and Special Programmes Department of Bangladesh Bank.

As an SME-focused bank, BRAC Bank says it prioritises easy access to finance for new entrepreneurs and arranges intensive training to help them run their businesses smoothly. The bank said the initiative demonstrates its commitment to grassroots entrepreneurship and will equip participants with essential management skills to grow their enterprises.