OPEC Fund expands support for trade, MSMEs and agribusiness in Bangladesh

November 28, 2025: The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is providing a US$30 million loan to Prime Bank PLC in Bangladesh to expand access to trade finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and agribusinesses. The financing will help strengthen Bangladesh’s export-driven economy by supporting businesses that face persistent gaps in affordable and reliable trade funding. 

OPEC Fund President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: 

MSMEs and agribusinesses play a vital role in jobs, food security and economic resilience in Bangladesh, yet many still struggle to access trade finance. Our partnership with Prime Bank will help unlock new opportunities, diversify exports and strengthen the country’s private sector. This loan builds on our long-standing collaboration and reflects our commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth.

Prime Bank is one of Bangladesh’s leading private commercial banks and an existing OPEC Fund partner under previous risk-sharing programs. The new loan will scale up Prime Bank’s capacity to finance imports and exports and provide working capital for agribusinesses supplying essential food and agricultural products.

By widening the availability of trade finance, the loan aims to support thousands of small firms that contribute significantly to employment and rural livelihoods. It also complements national efforts to diversify exports beyond garments and strengthen the competitiveness of local producers. 

The new loan is aligned with the OPEC Fund’s priority to expand private sector development, strengthen inclusive trade and support sustainable livelihoods.

About the OPEC Fund:
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$30 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.