21 journalists honoured with SME Foundation-ERF Media Award 2025

Economic Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said, the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector remains a vital driver of Bangladesh's economy but continues to fall short of its potential contribution to GDP due to insufficient policy support. He stated that the government would support the SME Foundation in developing a national database of entrepreneurs and improving the overall performance of the sector.

He made the remarks on 2 July 2025 while addressing the SME Foundation–ERF Media Award 2025 ceremony. The event was chaired by SME Foundation Chairperson Md Musfiqur Rahman, with Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury attending as special guest. ERF President Daulat Akhtar Mala gave the welcome speech, and General Manager Mohammad Jahangir Hossain delivered the vote of thanks.

Dr Salehuddin pointed out that access to finance remains the greatest challenge for SME entrepreneurs and urged banks to adopt a more positive mindset towards SME lending. He expressed satisfaction over the near 100 percent loan repayment rate under the SME Foundation's credit wholesaling programme and recommended expanding loan disbursements. He also announced that significant financial sector reforms are set to be completed by December this year.

Chairperson Md Musfiqur Rahman said the foundation has directly or indirectly supported over two million entrepreneurs since its establishment, including around 250,000 direct beneficiaries—55 percent of whom are women. Under the credit wholesaling initiative introduced in 2009, the foundation has disbursed Tk1,010 crore to more than 11,000 entrepreneurs, with at least 25 percent being women. However, he noted that the outreach remains limited given the country's estimated 11.8 million entrepreneurs and urged the government to enhance the foundation's institutional capacity.

Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury highlighted the foundation's continued work in fostering both new and established entrepreneurs despite resource constraints. He emphasised the importance of establishing a permanent infrastructure to extend the foundation's service coverage.

For the first time, 21 economic journalists from television, online, and print media received the SME Foundation–ERF Media Award 2025. Television awardees include Rimon Rahman from Jamuna TV, Dinar Sultana from BTV, Rakib Hossain from Channel 24, and Golam Moynul Hossain from Banglavision. Online awardees include Jesmin Ara Moli from bdnews24.com, DM Nazmul Hossain from Jago News 24, and Md Shafiqul Islam from Dhaka Post. Print media winners include Mohammad Saiful Islam, Rezaul Karim, FHM Humayun Kabir, Zahidul Islam, and Farhan Ferdous from The Financial Express; Jasim Uddin Badal from Samakal; Mousumi Islam and Rafiqul Islam from Daily Sun; Ziadul Islam from Amader Shomoy; Gias Uddin from Banijjo Protidin; Shah Alam Khan from Ajker Potrika; Mariam Moni from Ajker Dainik; and Md Hasan Arif and Rahim Sheikh from Rupali Bangladesh.