SME Foundation, United Finance launch coastal cluster initiative
The SME Foundation and United Finance PLC have jointly launched a cluster development initiative to uplift underdeveloped coastal sectors—specifically, dry fish, salt, snail (samuk), and shellfish (jhinuk)—with the aim of boosting rural livelihoods, employment, and export potential.
As part of the initiative, a stakeholder dialogue was recently held, bringing together over 20 entrepreneurs, producers, policymakers, and industry experts. The dialogue focused on identifying strategic opportunities and addressing sectoral challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure such as cold storage and drying units, insufficient hygiene and packaging skills, unsustainable resource harvesting, and weak market linkages.
The initiative seeks to promote inclusive growth by empowering marginalised communities in coastal areas through multi-stakeholder collaboration. Key next steps include cluster mapping, piloting customised financial and technical support, and forming Cluster Facilitation Teams.
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Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, Managing Director of SME Foundation, and Suman Chandra Saha, Deputy General Manager of Credit Facilitation and Financial Services, attended the dialogue on behalf of the foundation.
Senior officials from United Finance PLC were also present, including Mohammed Ashfaqul Haque Chowdhury, Cluster Head 1; Sudip Saha, Head of SME and Women Entrepreneur Financing; and Rokan Uddin Muhammad Al-Mamun, Branch Manager of Cox's Bazar.
The United Finance team reiterated their commitment to advancing inclusive finance and sustainable growth in Bangladesh's coastal belt, with a focus on unlocking the potential of micro and small enterprises in traditional but underserved sectors.
