RANGAMATI, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - The NFIS Administrative Unit (NAU) of Bangladesh Bank (BB) organized a workshop titled ‘Advancing Women's Financial Inclusion’ at the Tourism Holiday Complex in Rangamati on Saturday. 

The primary objective of the event was to inform underprivileged women about various financial services and facilitate their integration into the formal financial sector.

Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, attended the programme as the chief guest, while Rup Ratan Pine, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, was present as special guest, a press release said here today.
 
The workshop was chaired by Shayma Islam, Director of the NAU.

The session was moderated by Shahana Ferdousi, Additional Director of the NAU, and featured discussions from senior officials, including Nahid Sharmin, Gender Specialist at the UNDP, and Sutapa Chowdhury, Director of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority.

During the discussions, speakers highlighted the critical importance of inclusive finance for the economic empowerment of women. 

They analyzed the current status of financial services for marginal women, identified existing barriers, and proposed strategies to overcome these challenges. 

Key recommendations included increasing access to special loan facilities, expanding digital financial services, and promoting e-commerce opportunities. 

Furthermore, there was a strong call for enhancing financial literacy and formulating gender-friendly inclusive policies to ensure that financial services are more accessible.

The event featured interactive elements, including special booths set up by various financial service providers. 

Additionally, the workshop provided a platform for underprivileged women and local female entrepreneurs to share their personal experiences. To engage the attendees further, an awareness-raising quiz competition was organized.

A total of 120 participants attended the workshop, representing a wide range of institutions, including banks, finance companies, Mobile Financial Service Providers (MFSPs), and micro-credit agencies.