A two-day buyer-seller conference, organised by the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Foundation with support from the World Bank, began on Monday at the Bangladesh Institute of Architects auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The event aimed to strengthen market linkages for entrepreneurs from SME clusters across the country, particularly women, while helping established businesses discover a diverse range of suppliers.

Entrepreneurs from 25 SME clusters and 46 enterprises—covering sectors such as leather, light engineering, handloom, hosiery, fashion and home textiles, nakshi kantha, wood and bamboo crafts, pottery, and jewellery—showcased their products and supply capabilities to commercial buyers and business houses.

SME Foundation chairperson Musfiquar Rahman highlighted the Foundation’s long-standing efforts to support cluster-based enterprises.

‘Since 2013, we have identified 177 clusters involving nearly 2 million workers, of whom 26 per cent are women. These clusters, spread across 51 districts, generate an annual turnover of about Tk 30,000 crore,’ he said.

He added that 20 additional clusters have since been recognised, ranging from light engineering and handloom to handicrafts, furniture, bamboo and cane, jewellery, and leather goods.

Musfiq said that, despite their potential, cluster entrepreneurs often face challenges in marketing, financing, technology adoption, product quality, and workplace safety.

‘To address these, SME Foundation has introduced initiatives including infrastructure development, modern technology integration, design diversification, quality assurance training, raw material recycling, cluster-based loans, ICT support, and establishment of Common Facility Centres,’ he said.

Development needs have been assessed in 95 clusters, with regular interventions ongoing in 40.

Nearly 2,800 entrepreneurs have received Tk 185 crore in loans under the Foundation’s credit wholesaling programme and incentive packages, while partnerships with financial institutions have strengthened banking capacity among SME entrepreneurs.

As part of the conference, ten women entrepreneurs will pitch their ventures before a jury, with winners receiving awards on the closing day.

SMEs currently contribute around 30 per cent to Bangladesh’s GDP, with over 99 per cent of the country’s 11.8 million industrial enterprises classified as cottage, micro, small, or medium industries.

The sector employs more than 30 million people nationwide.

The event was attended by Ministry of Industries’ Additional Secretary Md Nuruzzaman as the chief guest.