The closing ceremony of a month-long Entrepreneur Development Training Program, organized by Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC in Jhalakathi under the SICIP Project of the Special Program Department of Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Finance, was held at the Conference Hall of Jhalakathi District Council. Certificates were distributed among 25 trained small entrepreneurs, while five participants who achieved outstanding results in the evaluation received crests. During the ceremony, the entrepreneurs presented their plans for future business development and expansion.

Managing Director of Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC, Mohd. Rafat Ullah Khan, attended the event as the Chief Guest. The program was held on Monday, August 10, 2026. Administrator of Jhalakathi District Council Md. Shahadat Hossain, Joint Director of Bangladesh Bank and Deputy Program Director of the SICIP Project Mohammad Wasim, Deputy Managing Director of Al-Arafah Islami Bank S.M. Abu Jafar, and Chief Executive Officer of Jhalakathi District Council Md. Shahriar were also present at the event as special guest.

Mohd. Rafat Ullah Khan said that the SME and cottage industry sectors play a vital role in ensuring economic development, employment generation, and inclusive growth in the country. Describing entrepreneurship development as one of the key drivers of national economic and social progress, he said training can significantly enhance entrepreneurs’ business knowledge, skills, and capabilities.

He appreciated the entrepreneurship development initiatives undertaken by Bangladesh Bank’s SME & Special Programs Department (SMESPD) and the SICIP Project. He said Al-Arafah Islami Bank has been conducting various training programs for entrepreneurship development on a regular basis. He urged entrepreneurs to make effective use of modern technology, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence to make their businesses more competitive and sustainable.

The program was presided over by Md. Abdur Rahim Duary, Principal of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Training Institute (AIBTI). Senior officials of the bank, trainers, co-trainers, and mentors from five branches were also present at the event.

A total of Twenty-five new and aspiring entrepreneurs from Barishal, Jhalakathi, and Pirojpur participated in the month-long training workshop. The training covered a range of important topics, including business plan preparation, capital budgeting, accounting, assessment of working capital requirements, feasibility studies, marketing strategies, delivery channels, hands-on business analysis, and experiences of successful businesses.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank will continue to contribute to entrepreneurship development and the socio-economic progress of the country through such initiatives in the future.