Seminar highlights role of banks and organisations in promoting disability inclusion
Published : 7 November 2026
•Updated : 7 November 2026, 19:47
•NEWS
Star Online Report
Photo: Courtesy
Speakers at a seminar have called for greater financial and institutional support from the banking sector to help entrepreneurs with disabilities in Bangladesh achieve economic independence and expand their businesses.
They emphasised the need to make existing banking products and services more accessible and effective, while ensuring flexibility, transparency and inclusive financial opportunities for entrepreneurs with disabilities.
The seminar, titled “Financial and Institutional Support from the Banking Sector for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities in Bangladesh,” was organised by Rotary Club of Dhaka North today at the seminar room of BRAC Inn in Dhaka.
Among those attending were Kanti Kumar Shahar, CEO of Allied Finance PLC; Shakil Ahmed of Eastern Bank; Zeeshan Kingshuk Huq, chief communications officer of United Commercial Bank; and Shakil of Upay.
They highlighted the existing banking products and services available to support the growth and development of entrepreneurs with disabilities and discussed how these facilities could contribute to expanding their economic activities.
Debashish Roy, director of Impact Investment Exchange, also addressed the seminar. He emphasised the need to make financial products and services more visible, accessible and user-friendly for people with disabilities to facilitate their economic empowerment.
Zahidul Kabir, lead of the Disability Inclusion Programme at BRAC, and Aziza Ahmed, director of Operations at Bangladesh Business & Disability Network, highlighted the roles and responsibilities of individuals and organisations working in the sector. They also discussed their respective organizations’ contributions to empowering people with disabilities.
Syed AJ Rizvi of Allied Finance spoke about initiatives already undertaken to provide banking support to entrepreneurs with disabilities and discussed ways to improve banking services for this particular group.
Bappi Sarker of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation informed the audience that, with support from people across different sections of society, they had developed a platform to promote the economic development of persons with disabilities.
Shormi Roy, founder of Ahona Rondhonshala, stressed that people with disabilities should not have to depend on charity or sympathy. Instead, they should be provided with opportunities to become self-reliant and successful entrepreneurs.
The seminar was moderated by Afsan Chowdhury of BRAC University.
