MasterCard announced the third phase of its financial literacy programme with partner BURO Bangladesh and Bangladesh Bank reaching 25,000 women in 2016 taking the total to 135,000 since 2013, says a press release.

Linking to our global focus of harnessing entrepreneurship in women and children, the new program offers training to ensure efficient use of the microfinance loans for women entrepreneurs nationwide. 

MasterCard launched the first phase of the business literacy program in 2013 to mark the opening of their first office in Bangladesh, and the second phase in 2015. In association with BURO Bangladesh and Bangladesh Bank, MasterCard has provided over 100,000  entrepreneurs financial literacy trainings and business skills and also ensured Business and Financial Literacy to Taka10 Account Holders.

Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor, Bangladesh Bank inaugurated the ceremony. Porush Singh Division President- South Asia & Country Corporate Officer, Vikas Varma, Executive Director - South Asia, Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager- Bangladesh from MasterCard and Zakir Hossain, Executive Director, BURO Bangladesh.

Speaking on the occasion Porush Singh Division President- South Asia & Country Corporate Officer, MasterCard said, ‘In Asia Pacific, MasterCard aims to provide entrepreneurial opportunities to more than 400,000 women and girls by 2020.  We are proud to have more than a quarter of that goal come from the work with our partners in Bangladesh.  The training will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to create their own opportunities and pursue their dreams, resulting in long-term benefits, not just for themselves, but also their families and society at large.’

Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor, Bangladesh Bank said, ‘I believe what gets in the way of many hardworking and self-determined Bangladeshi women lacking privilege and their success is financial illiteracy. I would like to commend MasterCard and BURO Bangladesh on this long-term project which is now entering its third phase on designing a program that provides financial and entrepreneurial training which provides these entrepreneurs with not just the skills but also the confidence to start their own businesses. I think this program will succeed in bridging the gap by allowing them the room to create self-employment.’

MasterCard supports a number of organisations and programs that help create and sustain entrepreneurs around the world through business and financial literacy programmes.