BRAC Bank hosts ‘tara uddokta mela 2026’ to back women entrepreneurs
BRAC Bank has hosted 'TARA Uddokta Mela 2026', a three-day fair aimed at promoting locally made products by women entrepreneurs and expanding their market access.
Inaugurated on 27 February 2026, the fair will remain open to the public until 1 March 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00pm each day, at the Aloki Convention Centre on the Tejgaon–Gulshan Link Road in Dhaka. Following the success of previous editions, this is the fourth TARA Uddokta Mela, reflecting BRAC Bank's continued efforts to support women entrepreneurs nationwide.
Meheriar M Hasan, Chairperson of BRAC Bank, inaugurated the fair on 27 February at the venue. Independent Directors Lila Rashid and Anita Ghazi Rahman were present. Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, and Syed Abdul Momen, Additional Managing Director and Head of SME Banking, also attended.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
A total of 88 women entrepreneurs from across the country are participating in the fair, showcasing a wide range of locally crafted products. Many of the entrepreneurs represent the manufacturing sector, contributing to traditional craftsmanship and inclusive economic growth. BRAC Bank has provided stalls free of charge, enabling participants to display their products and expand their market reach.
The exhibition features boutique and hand-stitched apparel, handmade crafts, clay and jute items, leather goods, Jamdani and Muslin attire, organic skincare products, bamboo and rattan items, and traditional foods. Visitors can also access dedicated iftar and dinner food courts ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
To promote digital financial inclusion, BRAC Bank has enabled QR-code-based digital payments at all stalls, assisting women entrepreneurs in transitioning to a cashless system. Customers can also enjoy discounts of up to 20% on purchases made through QR payments during the fair.
The bank stated that the TARA Uddokta Mela provides a platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase innovation, preserve Bangladesh's cultural heritage, and connect with customers during the Eid shopping season.
'Women entrepreneurs are key drivers of inclusive growth in the country. Through TARA Uddokta Mela, we are creating meaningful market access while preserving our rich heritage. This initiative reflects our long-term commitment to empowering women and enabling them to scale their businesses,' said Tareq Refat Ullah Khan.
As an SME-focused bank, BRAC Bank stated that the initiative reflects its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and advancing inclusive economic development across Bangladesh.
