MasterCard extends financial literacy programme

MasterCard in association with BURO Bangladesh and NRB Global Bank will provide financial and business literacy training to 10,000 people who have 10-taka accounts.

Under the programme launched by the central bank governor at a function in Dhaka yesterday, the 10-taka accountholders will receive education on the use of financial services in a smart and responsible way.

This is the second phase of a financial literacy programme introduced by MasterCard in Bangladesh in 2013.

In the first phase, around one lakh women entrepreneurs were trained through the network of BURO Bangladesh, an NGO that works on microfinance.

Bangladesh Bank has allocated a Tk 200-crore refinance scheme for financial inclusion, BB Governor Atiur Rahman said at the launch at Hotel Purbani.

The literacy training will help in effectively using Bangladesh Bank's refinancing fund, he said.

He said the central bank has asked all banks to provide SME loans to at least one woman entrepreneur at each branch every year. 
“These entrepreneurs deserve to be trained to help develop their skills.”

MasterCard's global philanthropic efforts are focused on promoting entrepreneurship, said Vikas Varma, executive director for South Asia of the company. 

It will also help people in Bangladesh achieve positive economic outcomes for themselves, their families and communities, he said.

Abdul Quddus, managing director of NRB Global Bank, and Zakir Hossain, executive director of BURO Bangladesh, also spoke.