BRAC Bank pioneers WSS financing with Water.org partnership
BRAC Bank, in collaboration with Water.org, has organised the first National Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) Workshop in the banking sector to raise awareness of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) financing.
The two-day workshop took place on 9 and 10 October 2025 in Cox's Bazar, bringing together senior leaders from BRAC Bank and Water.org, along with key stakeholders from across Bangladesh. The event reviewed progress on WSS financing, exchanged knowledge and developed innovative strategies to expand access to safe water and sanitation through inclusive financial solutions.
BRAC Bank became the first financial institution in Bangladesh to introduce WSS financing in partnership with Water.org in June 2024. Since then, the bank has facilitated access to formal credit for water and sanitation improvements, empowering small entrepreneurs, microfinance institutions and rural communities to enhance living standards and public health outcomes.
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A fireside chat featured an engaging discussion on the intersection of sustainability, finance and social impact, with participation from Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO; Syed Abdul Momen, AMD and Head of SME Banking; M Masud Rana, FCA, AMD and CFO; Md Sabbir Hossain, DMD and COO of BRAC Bank; and Sajid Amit, Executive Director, South Asia, Water.org.
The workshop included training sessions, SME progress updates and an interactive quiz to engage participants. Top contributors from Small Business, Medium Business and MFI Finance divisions were recognised for their performance in advancing WSS financing.
Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to improving access to water and sanitation worldwide. The sessions highlighted Water.org's mission, global success stories and innovative financing models to support WASH projects.
'Access to clean water and sanitation is not just a basic human right—it is the foundation for economic and social progress', said Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank. 'By pioneering water and sanitation financing with Water.org, we are building an inclusive banking model that uplifts lives and communities across Bangladesh. This initiative reflects our enduring commitment to sustainability, innovation and inclusive growth'.
