The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

The Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards 2008 program, launched by Citi Foundation, the philanthropicarm of Citigroup Inc. and managed by Shakti Foundation for Disadvantaged Women (SFDW) and Citibank, NA Bangladesh, has received huge response and a large number of applications were received from all over Bangladesh.

A special Screening Committee formed for this award program with eminent personalities and experts in this area has started to screen the applications received in all four categories Best Innovative Micro Business of the year, Best Woman Microentrepreneurship of the year. Best Microentrepreneur of the year and 'Best' Micro finance Institute (MFI) of the year'. The finalists will be first drawn out of the initial screening from the applications before the winners are finally selected and announced by the distinguished jury panel. Each winner will be awarded Tk 3,50,000.

This award has been launched especially to identify the successful Microentrepreneurship and honour best practices of micro enterprises in Bangladesh, which have been linked to a traceable source of Micro Finance. More importantly the aim of the initiative is to recognise the success stories of the entrepreneurs and put the spotlight on local micro entrepreneurs who are working to uplift the economic conditions of their communities.