Building Confidence of Micro Entrepreneurs
Bangladesh's small and micro entrepreneurs have much to gain from engaging local officials who provide public services—and our local economic governance team has combined in-country survey research and lessons from the region to create an effective, expanding program that increases the access of small businesses to public services and conveys entrepreneurs' voices to national policymakers. Starting with two locations in 2006, growing to six project sites in 2009, our program has built the confidence and advocacy skills of poorly educated, but business savvy micro entrepreneurs to engage with local level bureaucrats responsible for support services to those raising and marketing vegetables, flowers, poultry, and fish. By paying careful attention to local incentives, our team has developed self-sustaining forums that link rural entrepreneurs and their informal associations, or samities, with mid-level business cooperatives to petition for specific reforms from regional bureaucrats, mayors, and even members of parliament who are attracted by the opportunity for positive constituent outreach and glowing media coverage. The program includes an Economic Governance Index—a signature approach of The Asia Foundation to assess the business climate in local districts. The Index identifies the impact of regulations on business activity and provides input for possible reforms.