Over 70pc SME loan goes to small entrepreneurs: BB
BSS
Over 70 per cent of money from the SME refinancing scheme had been disbursed to small entrepreneurs when more than 90 per cent of the recipients of the loan were small investors, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB), reports BSS.
Refuting media reports that the major portion of the SME loan was given to big borrowers, the central bank in a statement on Tuesday disclosed data, showing 70.65 percent of the total loan, disbursed last year, went to the small investors.
BB said that banks and financial institutions in 2015 disbursed a total of Tk 789 crore 97 lakh among 4,455 borrowers. Of the total amount, Tk 557.43 crore was given to 4,375 entrepreneurs who borrowed Taka 10 thousand to 1 crore. On the other hand, Tk 232.54 crore was disbursed among 80 entrepreneurs who borrowed Taka over 1 crore.
Early this month, BB set the SME loan disbursement target at Tk 1 lakh 13 thousand 503 crore and 43 lakh for 2016, which is higher by 8.52 per cent from the target of 2015.
Last year the central bank targeted SME lending at Tk 1 lakh 4 thousand 586 crore and 49 lakh, but the disbursement for 2015 was higher 10.79 per cent to Tk 1 lakh 15 thousand 870 crore 48 lakh.
