Strengthening Financial Inclusion: Building Financial Access with Rocket for RMG Workers

Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC (DBBPLC) has organised a capacity-building training for its staff as part of the ‘Sarathi - Improving Financial Health’ initiative. This flagship financial inclusion project, led by Swisscontact Bangladesh, aims to enhance the financial health of low-income industrial workers, particularly those employed in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.

Despite efforts to engage RMG workers in digital transactions, mostly use a limited range of services due to a lack of awareness and fears about losing money. Cash remains the preferred method for many essential transactions, as digital alternatives are either unavailable or not widely accepted.

To facilitate the transition to a cashless economy, Swisscontact’s Sarathi project, in collaboration with Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC (DBBPLC), organised a capacity-building training on 1 April 2024 for their regional staff. The goal is to empower 50,000 RMG workers and their communities by providing access to digital financial products and services via Rocket. The training was designed to expand and strengthen the bank's customer base.

This collaboration between Swisscontact and DBBPLC has the potential to continue as a scalable programme, empowering RMG workers and their communities with access to integrated financial health solutions. Ultimately, this initiative aims to promote safer use of digital transactions. The project will continue contributing to building a financially inclusive society and driving economic growth in Bangladesh.

‘Sarathi – Improving Financial Health’ is funded by the MetLife Foundation and the Happel Foundation. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).