Citi Foundation honours best microentrepreneurs

With six pairs of aquarium fish and modest financial support from his family, Shahinur Rahman set off on his journey as an entrepreneur in 2002, after quitting his job in a garment factory.

He set up a hatchery at Bheramara in Kushtia. “It was very challenging for me as my hatchery was of aquarium fish.”

But fortune favours the brave, and today, Rahman, with a little helping hand from the Bangladesh Krishi Bank, is the proud owner of 20 hatcheries, which employ about 40 people full-time and many village youths on a part-time basis.

Students can work in his hatcheries in exchange of Tk 50 per hour during their holidays.

Rahman is one of the 14 microentreprenuers who were toasted at the 13th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) for their contribution to the economy and creating employment.

Citi Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Citigroup, in association with Sajida Foundation organised the award ceremony at the capital's Westin hotel.

Rahman, who was bestowed the 'Best Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year', received Tk 3.5 lakh as prize money.

Micro-lenders are making significant contribution to the country by bringing in deprived people to the real economy by providing them with financial support, Anisul Islam Mahmud, environment and forest minister.

The economy has been logging in high growth thanks to the agriculture sector and remittance, he added.

The big borrowers are becoming defaulters, putting the banks at risk, said Rokia Afzal Rahman, managing director of Arlinks Limited and acting chairperson of the 13th CMA advisory committee.

“But the micro-lenders are doing good business as their small borrowers are regular with their payments,” she added.

The event awarded three microentrepreneurs in three categories and two institutions in two different categories.

The winners of every category were awarded with prize money ranging from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 4.5 lakh.

Masuma Khanom from Nishchintapur in Thakurgaon won the first prize of Tk 4.5 lakh in the “Best Microentrepreneur of the Year” category.

Khaleda Akhter from Tepakhola in Faridpur bagged the “Best Woman Microentrepreneur of the Year” award and was honoured with Tk 3.5 lakh as prize money.

N Rajashekaran, managing director amd country officer of Citi Bangladesh; Zahida Fizza Kabir, executive director of Sajida Foundation, and Abdul Awal, executive director of the CDF, were also present.

Channel i and The Daily Star are the media partners of the event.