MSME Access to Finance in Bangladesh (UNESCAP)
CDCS® played a central role in conducting a rigorous and inclusive research initiative to strengthen access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bangladesh. This groundbreaking study, supported by ESCAP and the Government of Bangladesh, drew upon both primary and secondary data sources to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the MSME finance landscape.
CDCS® led the primary data collection process through bilateral stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions with key actors across the MSME finance ecosystem. Insights were further enriched through engagement with an expert group meeting, bringing diverse perspectives into the research framework. To ensure credibility, relevance, and national ownership, CDCS® also facilitated validation of findings through an advisory committee and a national stakeholder consultation workshop held in Dhaka on 10 December 2019, with the participation of over 60 high-level delegates.
By anchoring this research in participatory methods and multi-stakeholder dialogue, CDCS® has contributed to advancing evidence-based policymaking and innovative financing solutions for MSMEs—an essential engine of inclusive economic growth in Bangladesh.
Author: Sheikh Morshed Jahan
