On December 19, USAID Feed the Future Bangladesh Inclusive Access to Finance Activity, implemented by Palladium International in partnership with SAJIDA Foundation, hosted a stakeholder consultation workshop to present preliminary findings from the “Access to Finance Landscape and Inclusive Development in Bangladesh” assessment.

The event brought together policymakers, financial institutions, FinTech and AgTech companies to discuss barriers faced by smallholder farmers, agri-businesses and financial intermediaries. Preliminary findings from the assessment were presented to attendees, followed by a roundtable discussion centered on key process improvements and policy support needed to increase financing flow to smallholder farmers and AgMSMEs.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Kazi Rafiqul Hassan, Executive Director, SME & Special Programmes Department, Bangladesh Bank, and the Special Guest, Mr. Joseph Lessard, Director, Office of Economic Growth, USAID, highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in creating inclusive financial ecosystems, ensuring access for underserved communities, particularly women and youth.