Katalyst in the field of SME promotion

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

KATALYST is one of the largest projects which work in the field of SME promotion. It started in 2002 and is currently active in more than 30 sectors: manufacturing sectors such as plastics, furniture, agro tools; agricultural sectors like pond fishery, vegetables, maize and poultry and in service sectors, e.g. accounting, marketing and quality management. KATALYST also works with business associations to improve the enabling environment for businesses. The project’s activities run nationwide with a special focus on areas in and around Dhaka, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Bogra and Jessore. Poverty alleviation efforts in Bangladesh need to be accelerated to tackle the low rates of human development in this country of 140 million people. Economic growth – vital for poverty reduction – depends heavily on the private sector which comprises of 6.0 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and contributes 25% to the national income. Millions of farmers also play a key role. These enterprises continue to grow, but face increasing competition from an increasingly globalised market. Improving competitiveness of selected sectors in which the poor participate as producers, employees and consumers is therefore essential for both private sector growth and impact on the poor.

KATALYST is one of the largest projects which work in the field of SME promotion. It started in 2002 and is currently active in more than 30 sectors: manufacturing sectors such as plastics, furniture, agro tools; agricultural sectors like pond fishery, vegetables, maize and poultry and in service sectors, e.g. accounting, marketing and quality management. KATALYST also works with business associations to improve the enabling environment for businesses. The project’s activities run nationwide with a special focus on areas in and around Dhaka, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Bogra and Jessore.

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Source: Financial Express (link opens in a new window)