
Md. Mushfiqur Rahman has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Foundation, a key organisation dedicated to the development and support of small and medium-sized enterprises in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Industries confirmed his appointment through a notification issued on 22nd December, and he officially assumed the role on 19th January for a tenure of two years, becoming the eighth Chairperson of the Foundation.
The SME Foundation plays a crucial role in fostering the growth of small and medium enterprises, which are vital to Bangladesh’s economy, particularly in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector. The Foundation provides various support services, including access to finance, capacity building, and policy advocacy, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs. Given the significant contribution of the RMG industry to the national economy and employment, the Foundation’s initiatives are expected to bolster the sector’s sustainability and growth.
In accordance with the Ministry’s notification, Mushfiqur Rahman is required to renounce any other professional engagements or affiliations with government, semi-government, or private institutions during his tenure.
With nearly three decades of experience in the banking sector, Rahman brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. He has held prominent positions at leading banks, including Citizens Bank, HSBC, and Citibank in the United States, as well as HSBC, Standard Chartered, Shahjalal Islami Bank, and Bank Alfalah in Bangladesh.
Rahman graduated from Dhaka University in 1992 and earned his MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in 1995. His extensive background in finance is expected to greatly benefit the SME Foundation as it continues to support the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy.