Eastern Bank, BYLC partner to support women entrepreneurs

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has entered into a partnership with Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) to support the growth and financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

The partnership aims to strengthen women-led businesses through a six-month Women Entrepreneurs’ Growth and Access-to-Finance Programme titled “Joyee 2.0”.

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M Khorshed Anowar, deputy managing director and head of retail and SME banking at the bank, and Habibullah Tamim, acting in-charge and senior manager at BYLC, signed the agreement at a ceremony held in Dhaka recently, according to a press release.

Under the initiative, 40 women entrepreneurs will receive structured training, mentorship, business growth support, financial management guidance and loan-readiness development to help them scale their enterprises and access formal financial services.

By combining BYLC’s expertise in leadership and entrepreneurship development with EBL’s commitment to financial inclusion and SME growth, the initiative seeks to address key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including access to business knowledge, mentorship, networks and financing opportunities.

Tanzeri Hoque, head of priority and women banking at EBL; Md Shabu Munshi, head of SME business; Shakil Ahmed Himel, associate manager of women banking; Imtiaj Uddin Ahmed, senior manager of grants management and business development at BYLC; Kazi Shams Imtiaz Barta, assistant manager of the office of professional development; and Farabi Muntasir, executive of skills development programme, were also present at the signing ceremony.