PKSF disburses Tk2,500cr among 50,000 cottage, micro entrepreneurs

Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) has disbursed Tk2,500 crore to 101 partner organisations (POs) under its “Special Fund for Creating Entrepreneurs in the Cottage and Micro Sectors (SOPAN)” programme, supported by an incentive package from Bangladesh Bank.

Under the programme, around 50,000 small entrepreneurs have so far received loans totalling Tk1,416 crore, with women accounting for 87% of the beneficiaries.

PKSF received the first tranche of Tk1,250 crore from Bangladesh Bank on 7 September, while a total of Tk3,750 crore has already been released in three tranches under the programme.

The loans are being disbursed across all 64 districts through partner organisations in four sub-sectors: technology-driven agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, services, and value chain financing.

The programme aims to create new entrepreneurs and expand existing microenterprises by providing financing for production, processing and marketing activities.

It particularly focuses on rural and marginalised communities, women and young entrepreneurs to strengthen the rural economy, promote small businesses and generate employment.

The initiative also seeks to expand economic activities linked to the forward and backward value chains of microenterprises, creating additional business opportunities and jobs.

To support the programme, Bangladesh Bank has committed a special incentive package of Tk5,000 crore to PKSF. Of this, Tk3,750 crore has already been received in three instalments, while the remaining amount is expected to arrive by December.

The entire fund is scheduled to be disbursed among entrepreneurs at the grassroots level by January 2027.

To ensure transparency, maintain loan quality and strengthen supervision, PKSF has introduced an advanced digital monitoring system under the programme.

The system collects and stores daily information on loan disbursement and employment generation at the individual borrower level, allowing the organisation to regularly monitor progress and activities across the country.