City Bank, Water.org launch programme for safe water access

City Bank PLC and Water.org have introduced a two-year partnership programme in Bangladesh aimed at expanding access to safe water and sanitation services through innovative financing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and targeted community engagement.

According to a press statement, the initiative will enable entrepreneurs in underserved and remote areas to obtain loans on comparatively low-interest rates and simplified terms, with a view to strengthening the country’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) ecosystem.

Under the agreement, City Bank PLC will provide financing of Tk 200 crore to MSMEs and microfinance institutions (MFIs) operating within the WASH sector. The programme also includes structured capacity-building training for entrepreneurs engaged in water and sanitation services, alongside community-level outreach activities such as courtyard meetings and local awareness gatherings. These interventions are intended to improve understanding and adoption of safe water and hygiene practices at the grassroots level.

The inauguration ceremony, titled “Shaping the Future of Safe Water,” was held recently at a hotel in Dhaka. The event was attended by the State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, MP, as Chief Guest. Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Husne Ara Shikha, representing the SME & Special Programmes Department (SMESPD), attended as Special Guest.

Senior officials from both organisations were also present, including Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Managing Director and CFO of City Bank; Kamrul Mehedi, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Small, Microfinance and Agent Banking Business; Md. Mohibur Rahman, Executive Vice President and Head of Agent Banking; and Sajid Amit, Executive Director for South Asia and Country Director of Water.org. Representatives from commercial banks, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and development organisations attended the programme.

During his address, the State Minister for Water Resources emphasised the importance of coordinated institutional efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also noted concerns regarding the potential impact of climate change and declining groundwater levels on future safe water availability, while referring to ongoing government measures to address these challenges.

Bangladesh Bank’s Executive Director highlighted the alignment of the initiative with sustainable finance frameworks. She underscored the role of the banking sector in advancing SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through inclusive and impact-oriented lending practices.

Key Details of the Initiative

The initiative is positioned as part of broader efforts to improve water and sanitation access in Bangladesh through blended financial solutions and local capacity development.