In a landmark move for the Bangladeshi agricultural and industrial sectors, BRAC Bank PLC has formalised a strategic alliance with Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL). This partnership is specifically engineered to provide Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with enhanced access to affordable, long-term credit, with a particular emphasis on fortifying the nation’s food value chain. By combining institutional expertise, the two organisations aim to bridge the financing gap that frequently hinders the modernisation of local food processing and distribution networks.
Under the terms of the memorandum, BRAC Bank has joined a specialised low-cost lending programme as a participating financial institution. This initiative is underpinned by developmental funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of its “Food Value Chain Improvement Project.” The scheme is designed to empower SMEs by offering competitive interest rates and extended tenures, allowing them to invest in the infrastructure required to scale operations and improve quality standards.
Strategic Objectives of the JICA-Funded Programme
The collaboration seeks to elevate the operational capacity of SMEs by providing the “patient capital” necessary for significant capital expenditure, such as cold-chain logistics and automated processing units.
| Feature | Programme Specification |
| Funding Source | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) |
| Lead Facilitator | Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) |
| Executing Partner | BRAC Bank PLC |
| Strategic Focus | Enhancing the Food Value Chain |
| Financial Advantage | Low interest rates and extended loan tenures |
| Primary Beneficiaries | Agribusinesses and Food-related SMEs |
Leadership and Vision for Inclusive Finance
The partnership agreement was signed on 17 December 2025 at BRAC Bank’s head office in Dhaka. The document was executed by Md Shaheen Iqbal, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Wholesale Banking at BRAC Bank, and SM Anisuzzaman, Chief Executive Officer of BIFFL. The ceremony was attended by a high-level executive delegation, including Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, and Syed Abdul Momen, Additional Managing Director and Head of SME Banking.
Speaking on the impact of the collaboration, Tareq Refat Ullah Khan stated that the partnership reflects a shared dedication to building a resilient and inclusive financial ecosystem. He highlighted that access to affordable, long-term financing remains a critical hurdle for sustainable growth, particularly for enterprises involved in food production and logistics. By leveraging BIFFL’s structured funding and JICA’s development resources, BRAC Bank is positioned to channel vital capital into the SME sector. This initiative is expected to drive long-term resilience, support job creation, and ensure that Bangladeshi SMEs can compete effectively in an increasingly sophisticated global market.