Impact of Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Program on Socioeconomic Development of Poor Women in Bangladesh: A Case Study on SME Program of BRAC Bank

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of SME program of BRAC Bank on socio economic development of poor women in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh 50% people are living below poverty line and 25% are living in absolute poverty. They are sufieringjrom acute rural-urban economic disparity coupled with illiteracy. The country ’s economy is basically agrarian one with a vast majority living in rural areas. BRA C Bank was founded with the major objective of establishing a balanced economic growth by ensuring reduction of rural-urban disparity and equitable distribution of income. Both primary and secondary data have been used in this study. A total number ofl30 clientsfiom 3 bank branches and 50 bank personnel were interviewed for this study in Rajshahi Zone. Two sets of interview schedules were used to collect data from the respondents. The collected data are processed and analyzed in logical order.