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RURAL RECONSTRUCTION FOUNDATION

Report on MRA Workshop on Good Governance at RRF Head Office, Jashore

by | May 26, 2024 | News | 0 comments

Date: 11 February 2024. Venue: RRF Head Office

On 11th February 2024, the Vice Chairman of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) Md. Fashiullah along with his exclusive team visited the RRF at its head office in Jashore. The purpose of the visit was to organize a workshop on Good Governance with the various stakeholders. RRF facilitated the entire assignment standing beside MRA. The Founder & Executive Director Mr. Philip Biswas steered the RRF wagon wheel for this arrangement. The brief of the MRA trip is in below

Reception

Our honorable chief guest MD. Fashiullah, an Executive Vice Chairman of MRA, is welcomed with floral greeting by Mr. Philip Biswas, Founder and ED of RRF, when he landed at Jashore Airport on 10th February early at the morning. And at the evening warmly flowered by the founder and Deputy Executive Director of RRF Mr. Pinku Rita Biswas at RRF premises.

Workshop on Stakeholders Meeting for Good Governance

Simultaneously, MRA organized a workshop on the establishment of good governance. The workshop was held at the RRF head office, and it was facilitated by RRF. The event aimed to enhance governance practices within the NGO sector and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Distinguished Guests:

The Executive Vice Chairman of MRA was the chief guest at the workshop while Md. Majedul Haque; the Executive Director of MRA and Md. Noor Alam Mehedi were present as special guest. The Founder & Executive Director of RRF presided over the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of good governance in achieving the organization’s mission.

Participants:

The workshop saw active participation from diverse groups, including representatives from civil society, RRF staff, and beneficiaries of RRF Microfinance programs. This inclusive approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in promoting good governance. (See the attachment in Annexure).

Key Highlights:

  1. Inaugural Address: The Executive Vice Chairman of MRA Mr. Md. Fashiullah delivered an inaugural address, emphasizing the pivotal role of NGOs in societal development and the need for transparent and accountable governance.
  2. Presidential Perspective: The Founder & Executive Director of RRF Mr. Philip Biswas highlighted the organization’s commitment to upholding high standards of governance and expressed gratitude for MRA’s guidance and support.
  3. Interactive Sessions: The workshop included interactive sessions where participants shared their insights, challenges, and best practices related to governance. This exchange of ideas facilitated a collaborative approach towards improving governance mechanisms. The reflections from the audience are in blow
  4. Reducing service charge of loan
  5. Disseminate the enough information regarding microfinance to the grass root level very transparently
  6. Should be careful about fraud created by the borrowers
  7. Use technology much to make MF transparent to the all stakeholders
  8. Microfinance could be the included in the text curriculum by the government imitative
  9. Women empowerment is one of massive achievement in microfinance.
  10. Promote and aware mass people about Microfinance program
  11. Set same standard in microfinance services for the all MFI.
  12. Good Governance should be Top to Bottom approach.
  13.  MFCIB is a massive invention by MRA.
  14. Enhance the skills for MFI human resource.
  15. Stakeholder Engagement: The active involvement of civil society representatives, RRF staff, and Microfinance beneficiaries created a platform for meaningful discussions on how to enhance the impact of NGO initiatives.

Appreciation to Sajed Khatun:

Sajeda Khatun, an entrepreneur, who is a beneficiary of RRF Microcredit program recently won on time cash prize worth 45000 taka as a best women small entrepreneur from Sustainable Enterprise Project, PKSF. She was highly appreciated by the all audience members especially by the EVC of MRA. Flowers given and paid gratitude for her precious achievement.

Inauguration Ceremony of Universal Pension Scheme

At 6.15 p.m. another program was held on 3rd floor of RRF Head Office. Universal Pension Scheme a new product which is introduced by the government aims at providing future social safety and supporting their daily expenses. On the presence of our honorable chief guest MD. Fashiullah, RRF launched the program officially by enlightening the candle. Four different schemes have been introduced, progoti, surokkha, somota and probash, to bring citizens who are aged between 18 and 50 years under the pension facility.

Conclusion:

The workshop concluded with a commitment to fostering good governance practices within the NGO sector. The collaboration between MRA and RRF, along with the active involvement of stakeholders, sets a positive precedent for promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the delivery of social services.

This event marks a significant step towards building a stronger partnership between regulatory authorities and NGOs in Bangladesh, ultimately contributing to the betterment of society through improved governance practices.

Md. Mokbul Ahmed

Deputy Director

Department of Communication & Documentation

Rural Reconstruction Foundation