Year
2026
Reform Domain
Manifesto Watch
Women
Sub Domain
Women’s Empowerment
Source of Reform Proposals
Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 03-Aug-26
This pledge was articulated in the election manifesto of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for Bangladesh’s 13th national election. In its election manifesto, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) states that "To increase self-reliance, the government will provide interest-free loans to women in micro, cottage, and small industries, along with tax exemptions. Provision of necessary training, development, and marketing support.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 15-Oct-26
The FY2026–27 budget mentioned easier access to credit, reforms to women-entrepreneur loan schemes, collateral-free loans, skills and entrepreneurship programmes in 200 upazilas, a Tk 500 crore Startup Fund, and a comprehensive database to connect women entrepreneurs with training, finance and markets. It also proposed a higher tax-exempt turnover threshold for women entrepreneurs. On 5 October 2026, the Commerce Minister stated that the government has taken initiatives to expand women’s access to finance, reduce administrative barriers, and introduce a single-window mechanism for business-related licences and registrations.
Legal and Policy Framework
Last Update: 15-Oct-26
The Finance Act, 2026, enacted on 6 July 2026, introduced preferential tax treatment for women entrepreneurs, including a higher tax-exempt business-turnover threshold of Tk 70 lakh, compared with Tk 50 lakh for general SME entrepreneurs. On 14 August 2026, the SME Foundation and Urmi Group signed an agreement to support CMSMEs and women entrepreneurs through skills development, training, machinery support and supply-chain integration
Operationalisation
Last Update: 15-Oct-26
On 17 June, the SME Foundation also announced Tk 45 crore in financing for small businesses and returnee migrants through participating banks, with a portion reserved for women entrepreneurs and collateral-free lending available within prescribed limits. In addition, the SME Foundation continues to operate its Suppliers Platform for Women Entrepreneurs, providing a mechanism for market linkage and supplier access.
Observation
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The FY2026–27 national budget and the subsequent Finance Act clearly indicate the government’s intention to strengthen the self-reliance of women entrepreneurs. On 14 July 2026, the government launched the National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform; although the initiative is not exclusively targeted at women entrepreneurs, it may help increase women’s participation in entrepreneurial activities. However, exclusive financing facilities designed for women entrepreneurs in micro, cottage, and small industries remain important, particularly given the manifesto commitment. It may therefore be expected that the government will take further targeted initiatives to address this gap.
Resources
- Gender Budget FY 2026-27
- Govt moves to ease loans, services for women entrepreneurs: Muktadir
- National Budget Speech FY2026-27
- SheTrades Bangladesh Hub
- SME Foundation to provide over Tk45cr in loans to small entrepreneurs
- Startup entrepreneurs to get grants up to Tk 5cr: PM
- URMI GROUP SIGNS MOU WITH SME FOUNDATION