SME Baishakhi fair kicks off in Dhaka with cultural, business blend

A seven-day SME Baishakhi Fair is set to begin in the capital today, marking the Bengali New Year, with organisers aiming to blend culture, commerce, and entrepreneurship under one roof. 
The fair will continue until 18 April at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, according to a press release.
Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muqtadir is scheduled to inaugurate the event on Sunday afternoon. More than 150 entrepreneur organisations from across the country will participate, showcasing a wide range of products. The fair will remain open daily from 10am to 7pm.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Industries and the SME Foundation, the event is designed as a vibrant platform combining festival spirit with business opportunities. Key attractions include a Baishakhi procession, exhibitions of traditional products, cultural performances, and a variety of popular Bangladeshi foods.
The fair will also highlight the charm of rural traditions, featuring attractions such as a Ferris wheel (Nagordola), bioscope, parrot and monkey shows, balloon shooting, stilts (Ronpa), palanquins, fire shows, drum performances, and Baul songs. A dedicated kids’ zone with puppet shows and face painting will also be available, alongside daily live cultural programs including music, dance, and folk performances.
More than 300 stalls will display local clothing, handicrafts, and diverse products, offering small and medium entrepreneurs a valuable opportunity to promote their brands ahead of Pahela Baishakh. Visitors will also be able to enjoy traditional foods at over 30 food stalls, including a variety of pithas.
Entry tickets are priced at Tk30, while an express pass costing Tk200 will allow visitors to avoid long queues.

Tk440 crore loan boost for entrepreneurs
Meanwhile, in a move to support the country’s small and medium enterprises, the SME Foundation has announced an initiative to disburse over Tk440 crore in loans to entrepreneurs. Agreements have already been signed with 11 banks and four financial institutions to facilitate the programme.
Of the total amount, Tk295 crore will be distributed from the foundation’s revolving fund at an interest rate of 8%, allowing entrepreneurs to borrow between Tk1 lakh and Tk25 lakh. 
In addition, Tk145 crore will be disbursed with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and under an agreement with Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited. This portion will target cottage, micro, small, and medium (CMSME) entrepreneurs in agriculture-based industries and food processing sectors through seven banks and financial institutions at a 9% interest rate. Under this scheme, entrepreneurs can access loans of up to Tk1 crore.
The agreements were signed on Thursday night at a hotel in the capital between SME Foundation Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury and chief executives of participating institutions, including BRAC, City, Bank Asia, United Commercial, Prime, Bengal Commercial, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Bangladesh Development Bank, Karmasangsthan Bank, National Credit and Commerce Bank, Trust Bank, IPDC Finance, IDLC Finance, LankaBangla Finance, and United Finance.