City Bank PLC and Water.org have launched a two-year partnership in Bangladesh to expand access to safe water and sanitation through MSME financing and community engagement. Under the initiative, small and medium entrepreneurs in remote areas will be able to access loans at low interest rates and on easy terms, according to a press release. As part of the recently signed agreement, City Bank PLC will provide Tk200 crore in financing to micro, small and medium enterprises and microfinance institutions operating in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector. Capacity-building training will also be arranged for WASH entrepreneurs. In addition, courtyard meetings and local community gatherings will be organised to raise awareness at the grassroots level on safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices. The inauguration ceremony, titled "Shaping the Future of Safe Water", was held recently at a hotel in Dhaka.
State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad attended the event as the chief guest, while Bangladesh Bank Executive Director of the SME and Special Programmes Department Husne Ara Shikha attended as the special guest.
