Micro Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) plays an important role in the economic growth and development of a country. MSME works as the platform for job creation, income generation, and development of forward and backward industrial linkages. MSMEs occupied a unique position in the economy of Bangladesh.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) make up the largest portion of the employment base in many developing countries and, indeed, are often the foundation of the local private sector. Micro Enterprise sometimes directly comes from cottage industry. So we consider cottage industries when considering micro enterprises. Now the MSMEs are not only concentrated to traditional and agro-based economic activities; these are spread over other non-traditional manufacturing and service sector as well. To achieve high and sustained economic growth, a triggering force is mandatory to exit from poverty and socio-economic deprivation.
MSMEs constitute the dominant source of industrial employment in Bangladesh (about 80%), and about 90% of the industrial units fall into this category. The actual performance of MSMEs, however, varies depending on the relative economic efficiency, the economic policy environment and the specific promotion policies.
Al-Arafah Women Enterpreneurs
Micro Enterprise Investment Scheme
Rural Agricultural Investment Scheme
Small Enterprise Investment Festival
Small Enterprise Investment Scheme
As per Bangladesh Bank SMESPD Instruction Circular No. 1, Dated: 19 June, 2011, MSME is being defined as follows:
| Cottage Industry/ Enterprise | Attributes under the categories | Fixed Assets Value in Taka Excluding Land & Building (Including Replacement Cost) | And/or Total Number of employees |
| Manufacturing | Less Than 5 Lac | Less Than 10 | |
| Service | Less Than 5 Lac | Less Than 10 | |
| Trade | Less Than 5 Lac | Less Than 10 | |
| Micro Industry/ Enterprise | Attributes under the categories | Fixed Assets Value in Taka Excluding Land & Building (Including Replacement Cost) | And/or Total Number of employees |
| Manufacturing | 5 Lac - 50 Lac | 10-24 | |
| Service | Less Than 5 Lac | Less Than 10 | |
| Trade | Less Than 5 Lac | Less Than 10 | |
| Small Industry/ Enterprise | Attributes under the categories | Fixed Assets Value in Taka Excluding Land & Building (Including Replacement Cost) | And/or Total Number of employees |
| Manufacturing | 50 Lac - 10 Crore | 25-99 | |
| Service | 5 Lac - 1 Crore | 10-25 | |
| Trade | 5 Lac - 1 Crore | 10-25 | |
| Medium Industry/ Enterprise | Attributes under the categories | Fixed Assets Value in Taka Excluding Land & Building (Including Replacement Cost) | And/or Total Number of employees |
| Manufacturing | 10 Crore - 30 Crore | 100-250 | |
| Service | 1 Crore - 15 Crore | 50-100 | |
| Trade | 1 Crore - 15 Crore | 50-100 |
To ensure rapid advancement of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, a number of schemes are running in Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC. In the light of the definition of Bangladesh Bank, we are giving a priority over financing to three categories of enterprises viz. Industry, Trade & Services. We prior to Area Approach Method when MSME financing.
Working Capital Investment
Fixed Capital Investment
About 50% of the populations of Bangladesh are women. Women participation in the mainstream of economic activities especially in the productive sectors is crucial for attaining sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction and women's empowerment. But women participation in economic sector is inadequate and the number of women entrepreneurs is very low compared to that of their male counterparts. There exist many obstacles in women participation in the mainstream of economic activity although the degree of integrity, devotion, creativity and expertise of women make us surprised. Participation of women entrepreneurs in MSME sector is vital for the flourishing of Bangladesh economy and enhancing women empowerment.
Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC. is working with women entrepreneurs to make them capable of earning by connecting with country's economic activities. We give priority to women entrepreneurs to invest on various productive sectors. By the side of collateral secured investment, collateral security free investment is also considered in the question of women development.
