EBL rolls out entrepreneur development training under SICIP

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has launched a month-long Entrepreneur Development Training Programme as part of its ongoing efforts to support entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.

The programme is being implemented under the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (SICIP), led by the Ministry of Finance and Bangladesh Bank, and financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The inauguration ceremony was held on 8 January 2026 at EBL's head office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Husne Ara Shikha, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, formally inaugurated the programme, while Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director of Eastern Bank, presided over the event.

Speaking as chief guest, Shikha highlighted the importance of developing skilled, innovative, and ethical entrepreneurs to ensure sustainable economic growth. She encouraged participants to identify diversified business opportunities, generate new ideas, practise good governance, and acquire modern entrepreneurial skills.

Addressing the event, Iftekhar stated that sound planning, innovation, financial discipline, and integrity are the cornerstones of business success. He stated that programmes like this play a vital role in developing entrepreneurs and building a sustainable SME sector.

Under the programme, trainee and trainer selection was conducted through transparent and structured processes by the respective selection committees, with active participation from representatives of Bangladesh Bank, the Ministry of Finance, and Eastern Bank.

Also present were M Khorshed Anowar, Deputy Managing Director of EBL; Md Nazrul Islam, SICIP Programme Director; Md Ayub Ali, Deputy Programme Director; senior officials of the bank; and 25 selected entrepreneurs.