Dhaka:The Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) has announced plans to provide Tk 7,245 crore in financing aimed at expanding renewable energy use and fostering entrepreneurship in the cottage and microenterprise sectors.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Tk 500 crore of this financing will specifically target the expansion of rooftop solar power generation. Additionally, Tk 5,000 crore will be allocated through Bangladesh Bank-financed loans to support new entrepreneurs in these sectors.
The decisions were made during a PKSF Board of Directors meeting held at PKSF Bhaban-1. The meeting was chaired by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan and attended by Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader along with other board members.
The Tk 5,000 crore programme will focus on technology-driven agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, services, and value-chain-based activities at the grassroots level. This initiative aims to utilise the skills and productive capacity of low-income communities to create new entrepreneurs and expand employment opportunities.
The Board also approved a specialised financing programme, backed by a Tk 500 crore government allocation, to promote rooftop solar power generation. Under this programme, a lending policy titled 'Shouro Shokti' was approved, allowing loans to be provided at a 6 percent interest rate through PKSF's partner organisations.
Furthermore, the Board approved nearly Tk 2,000 crore in loans for partner organisations to support cluster-based microenterprises and other sectors such as general services, agriculture, and the ultra-poor. These financing initiatives are part of PKSF's broader efforts to enhance access to finance for low-income individuals and small businesses, while promoting renewable energy use and economic activities that generate employment.