World Bank Global Director for Social Protection and Labor in the South Asia Region, Iffath Sharif highly praised Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) for its significant contributions to poverty alleviation in Bangladesh, describing PKSF as a unique development organization in the country.

Iffath Sharif made these remarks during a courtesy meeting with PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan and Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader at PKSF Bhaban on 17 February 2025.

She expressed satisfaction with the progress of the RAISE project and emphasized its potential for further expansion. She also highlighted the apprenticeship program under RAISE as an exemplary model for enhancing youth employability.

PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan stressed on the importance of combining financial assistance with capacity development initiatives to ensure the effective utilization of loans by entrepreneurs.

Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader reaffirmed PKSF’s commitment to workforce development, particularly through capacity enhancement programs under the RAISE project.

The meeting was also attended by Aneeka Rahman, Task Team Leader of the RAISE project at the World Bank, and Operations Analyst Masud Rana. From PKSF, Deputy Managing Director Md Hasan Khaled, General Manager (Program) and RAISE Project Coordinator Dilip Kumar Chakravorty, along with officials from the Project Management Unit, were present.

PKSF has been implementing the Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE), a five-year project, since February 2022. Under this USD 250 million project, 183,000 youths and micro-entrepreneurs from the informal sector are receiving inclusive financial services and capacity enhancement support.