The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md. Mahbubur Rahman Bulbul

Bangladesh has created a number of women micro-entrepreneurs whose are highly benefited by a big financial support of ASA. ASA is the one class MFI in the world for their cost-effective model. Many countries of the world are taking as a role model of ASA's MFI program for poverty alleviation in their won country.

Bangladesh is a Model country of Micro credit in the world. It has been proved every time. Micro credit could help millions of poor women to become self-dependent and to support own family and employees working in their projects. Micro credit has created a class of micro entrepreneurs in Bangladesh and it is gratifying to find that women make up a part of that number. In Bangladesh, there are many successful shops, production house and farms owned and managed by women. Some launch a business project to uplift their economic status, while others venture into the business arena to do 'something different' or 'something differently' and importantly, worthwhile for society. Women Entrepreneurs are making their presence felt in rural areas too. Village women mainly start business in the struggle for survival, but with a little support from microfinance institution (MFI) supported by their NGOs and social welfare organizations, they can go beyond the subsistence level and make healthy profits from their thriving business activities. These women innovate and change the production function- the fundamental attributes of an Entrepreneur.

Because, they have modest resources, they are known as micro entrepreneurs; however, they discover new sources of supply of inputs and new markets, just like any other entrepreneurs. There are big MFIs in Bangladesh whose are playing vital role for creating a huge number of women micro entrepreneurs and empowerment of Women by their micro finance assistance. Among them- ASA, BRAC, GRAMIN Bank are very popular and effective MFI in Bangladesh.

ASA is one of them who is the largest MFI in the world. ASA provides number of six loan products in Bangladesh very successfully. All loan products are very effective and successful for building-up women empowerment and women micro entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. Men and women, both are highest benefited from ASA's loan program. Now in Bangladesh, ASA provides their microfinance program to 90 lacks poor and helpless people through their 4000 Branches. As for example, the following case-study can represents the whole successful and empowerment of ASA's women micro entrepreneurs all over Bangladesh.

Shipra Rani is a very happy and successful woman micro entrepreneur who get financial assistance by ASA from Kolatiain Branch under Karanigonj Thana of Dhaka District. She had a long years dream for becoming a proudful woner of a ambroydery & garments has come into reality with financial support from ASA. Now she is 45 years old. The name of her husband is Ratan Chandraw Sharker.

Once, She was purely a house wife. She has been able to set-up "Shipra Handicraft Project" where 20 assistants work alongside her gives satisfactory service to the customers. It is her own project. She and her husband are dealing jointly their Business.

Her academic background is very poor. She had a great ambition about her life. She tried heart and soul to get a better financial support from any govt. or Non-govt. financial Institution & Bank by several times and her conjugal life was not happy at the initial stage. She faced a lot of financial crisis. Just then, she came into touch with ASA, Kolatia Branch of Dhaka district. Rubia got 10,000 taka from that Branch as a small female loan in 2004. She had a practical working experience for making . She completed a Practical course on this priject from Dhaka. Her husband always helps her project. By that experience, she started her new road map of her life. She opened a project house in her won residance under Karanigonj Thana of Dhaka District.

Gradually, she got micro loan from that Branch 15,000, 20,000 and 30,000 taka. Branch Manager Nowshad Hossain and Regional Manager Md. Ataur Rahman always encouraged her to build-up her project every time. She is a successful mother of 1 son and 2 daughters. She has been living with her family in Kolatia area of Karanigonj Thana from starting of her life.

Now, she is rich and self-sustainable woman. Now she gets 1 lack taka as a big amount from ASA Kolatia Branch under SEL loan program in 2008. Gradually, she increased her business by the profit of her project. She invested amount with all cooperation of her husband in her her project. She makes many kinds of product very nicely with her workers. She always busy with her business.

After all cost, she gets profit 20,000 taka per month. For building-up a mini garments industry in Kolatia area of Karanigonj Thana is her future plan. She is always pleased to ASA's authority for the financial assistance under SEL loan program. Lastly, a Philippines MFI team visits her project by very recently. They were be very pleased after visiting her project. The MFI team want to implement like this project according to the system of ASA MFI model. District Manager of ASA Dhaka district Md. Mizanur Rahman Gaji always support for the implementing like these project sy the ASA's SEL loan program. Additional District Manager Iqbal Hossain was present at that moment as a moderator. For this reason,

Here, it is very essential to say that recently, ASA being included in the prestigious Forbes' Magazine first-ever list of the world's Top 50 Microfinance Institution(MFI). It is a tribute to ASA's outstanding work and devotion over the years. The fact that the second position has gone to Bandhan which has been nurtured by ASA says a lot about the sustainability and scalability of ASA's model.