The 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the SME Foundation was held on Monday, 30 March 2026, at the Parjatan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. The meeting featured detailed discussions on the overall progress of the country’s small and medium enterprise sector, implemented activities, and future plans.

The Deputy Managing Director of the Foundation, Md. Nazim Hasan Sattar, delivered the welcome address. The Managing Director, Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, presented key statistics and progress reports on the programmes implemented during the 2024–25 fiscal year.

Chaired by the Foundation’s Chairman and Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, Md. Obaidur Rahman, the meeting approved the Board of Directors’ report, adopted the audited financial statements, and endorsed the proposed budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

During the session, Lubana Yesmin Shampa, President of the Sylhet Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, participated as a member of the General Council and offered valuable opinions and recommendations. She proposed organising district-based skill development training programmes for women entrepreneurs and called for enhanced support from the SME Foundation to simplify access to bank financing for women-led businesses.

The annual general meeting served not only as a formal statutory event but also as an important platform for constructive policy-level discussions aimed at advancing entrepreneurship in Bangladesh, particularly in promoting the growth and empowerment of women entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur-friendly policies and coordinated initiatives, it was emphasized, are essential to building a stronger and more resilient small and medium enterprise sector in the country.