City Bank, Water.org unveil initiative to improve water and sanitation

City Bank PLC and Water.org have launched a two-year collaborative initiative in Bangladesh aimed at improving access to safe water and sanitation through expanded financing mechanisms for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) engaged in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

According to a press statement, the programme is designed to support entrepreneurs in remote and underserved regions by providing access to loans on comparatively low interest rates and simplified repayment conditions. The initiative seeks to strengthen sustainable delivery of WASH services through a combination of financial inclusion and community-based awareness activities.

Under the agreement, City Bank PLC will extend financing worth Tk 200 crore to MSMEs and MFIs operating in the WASH sector. Alongside credit facilities, the programme incorporates structured capacity-building training for entrepreneurs involved in water and sanitation services. It also includes grassroots engagement activities such as courtyard meetings and local community discussions intended to raise awareness on safe water usage, sanitation practices and hygiene behaviour.

The official launch event, titled “Shaping the Future of Safe Water,” was held at a hotel in Dhaka. The ceremony was attended by State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, MP, as Chief Guest. Husne Ara Shikha, Executive Director of the SME & Special Programmes Department (SMESPD) of Bangladesh Bank, participated as Special Guest.

Senior officials from the partner organisations were also present, including Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of City Bank; Kamrul Mehedi, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Small, Microfinance and Agent Banking Business; Md. Mohibur Rahman, Executive Vice President and Head of Agent Banking; and Sajid Amit, Executive Director for South Asia and Country Director of Water.org. Representatives from the banking sector, regulatory bodies, financial institutions and development organisations attended the event.

During his address, the State Minister for Water Resources underscored the importance of coordinated multi-stakeholder efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted concerns regarding the long-term risks posed by climate change and declining groundwater levels, noting that these factors could significantly affect future access to safe water. He also referred to ongoing government initiatives aimed at addressing water security challenges.

The Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank emphasised that the initiative is aligned with sustainable finance policies and national development priorities. She noted the banking sector’s role in advancing SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through inclusive financing approaches that support both environmental and economic outcomes.

Key Features of the Initiative

The partnership represents a structured effort to combine financial services with development objectives, with a focus on expanding equitable access to essential water and sanitation services across Bangladesh.