Community Bank Starts Entrepreneurship Training under SICIP

Community Bank Bangladesh PLC has launched its Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) under the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP) at its Training Academy, as part of a national initiative to enhance entrepreneurial capacity and workforce skills in Bangladesh.

The programme is being implemented under the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, with Bangladesh Bank acting as the executing agency. The wider SICIP framework is supported financially by the Asian Development Bank. The initiative focuses on improving skills development, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening economic competitiveness through structured training.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by senior officials from Bangladesh Bank and Community Bank Bangladesh PLC. Ms. Husne Ara Shikha, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, attended as Chief Guest. She stated that SICIP is designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills, foster innovation, and support sustainable employment creation. She also encouraged participants to fully engage in the training and apply their learning to real business contexts.

Special Guests included Mr. Nazrul Islam, Program Director & Additional Director of Bangladesh Bank, and Mr. Mohammad Wasim, Deputy Program Director & Joint Director of Bangladesh Bank. They highlighted the importance of financial literacy, structured capacity-building, and institutional support in developing successful entrepreneurs. They also reiterated Bangladesh Bank’s continued commitment to strengthening the SME sector and expanding entrepreneurship opportunities nationwide.

The session was chaired by Mr. Kimiwa Saddat, Managing Director (Current Charge) of Community Bank Bangladesh PLC. He expressed appreciation to Bangladesh Bank for entrusting the bank with the implementation of the programme. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to SME development and emphasised that entrepreneurship training initiatives contribute to innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth. He further advised participants to actively participate in the sessions and maintain ethical business practices in their future ventures.

Earlier, Mr. Hossain-Al-Safeer Chowdhury, Head of SME Division and Programme Coordinator, delivered the welcome address. He outlined the objectives of the programme and confirmed that 25 selected young entrepreneurs are participating in a one-month training course aimed at strengthening business knowledge, financial management skills, and digital competencies.

Programme Details

The training programme will be conducted by experienced internal and external resource persons. It will continue until 20 May 2026, with the objective of equipping participants with practical skills required for sustainable entrepreneurship and long-term business development.