United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) took a significant step towards supporting agricultural entrepreneurship by providing training to approximately 250 selected agricultural entrepreneurs from 9 upazilas of Pabna district on March 06, 2024.

The day-long training program was inaugurated at the BRAC Learning Centre, with ATM Tahmiduzzaman, Additional Managing Director and Company Secretary of UCB, gracing the event as the chief guest.

The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Md. Shah Alam Bhuiyan, Deputy Managing Director of UCB; Rezaul Karim Siddique, renowned presenter of BTV’s agriculture-based show ‘Mati O Manush’ and an agricultural analyst; Dr. Md. Jamal Uddin, Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension; Dr. Gauranga Kumar Talukder, District Livestock Officer; and Md. Abul Kalam Azad, District Fisheries Officer, who delivered speeches emphasizing the significance of empowering agricultural entrepreneurship.

Addressing the audience, ATM Tahmiduzzaman highlighted the importance of nurturing youth and farmers as entrepreneurs, particularly focusing on sectors such as poultry farming and fishery. He emphasized that supporting agricultural entrepreneurship not only addresses nutritional needs but also creates substantial employment opportunities at the grassroots level, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation and bolstering the national economy.

UCB is committed to promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and aims to become an agricultural entrepreneur-friendly bank. This initiative aligns with UCB's corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme titled ‘Bhoroshar Notun Janala’, mandated by Bangladesh Bank. Under this project, training sessions are being conducted across 64 districts of Bangladesh, focusing on facilitating easy access to agricultural loans and providing incentives for agrarian development.

With training programs already conducted in 44 districts, UCB remains dedicated to expanding the scope of funding options on favorable terms, ensuring the holistic development of the agricultural sector.