Celebrating Sierra Leone’s 50th independence anniversary

Sierra Leone turns 50 today. From a nation strife with civil war it has quietly turned into a nation of peace. BRAC opened its offices in Sierra Leone in 2008 and started its integrated programs from 2009. Drawing upon experiences from Uganda, Southern Sudan and Tanzania, BRAC was encouraged to work in Sierra Leone. With our four decades of experience in post-war and post-disaster development in Bangladesh, we are helping the under-privileged citizens of Sierra Leone maximise the socio-economic benefits and make peace dividends a reality.

BRAC is committed to supporting the government in peace building by providing access to sustainable livelihoods services to the poor at scale. Our work in Sierra Leone continues to grow and is expected to reach out to more than 25,000 microfinance members by 2011– a majority of whom are women.

"Indeed [BRAC] has made wide and substantial impact, especially at a time when our emphasis is to reduce poverty [...] There is a need for us to empower the poor and that has been the area of your activities. You [also go] along with the areas of our priority [in agriculture and health]. The poverty level is very high and your commitment and efforts ensure that together we can reduce poverty as we move along."
-President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, during a visit to State House by BRAC officials

BRAC took into consideration the country’s high dependence on agriculture and that is reflected by the continued deepening of our outreach infrastructure into rural areas. Our focus is on improving the economic self reliance of the rural poor, using microfinance as the primary tool, reinforced by livelihood development support and transfer of agricultural technology.

BRAC launched the livestock and poultry program in Sierra Leone in 2008. We have been developing many supporting activities such as disease management, poultry vaccination, dissemination of improved breed of cow through artificial insemination, supply of livestock and poultry feed and milk processing and distribution.

Since our start, we have helped more than 4.2 million people create and sustain livelihoods from different kinds of farming. In Sierra Leone, the majority of people are involved in small scale farming activities, such as raising chickens, sheep, goats, pigs or cows, and cultivating small plots of land of less than three acres. In addition to providing poor women with investment capital and inputs for their activities, BRAC provides training and support on modern farming techniques, which can greatly increase these women’s profits, thus contributing to the revival of the sector.

Health interventions have also been a major area of our work in Sierra Leone. We take a multi-pronged approach to reduce the health risks for poor communities in Sierra Leone. We focus on the prevention of malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS, the reduction of infant and under-five mortality rates, and increasing accessibility to health by taking healthcare to the doorstep of the people through our community health promoters. The health promoters are trained by BRAC to provide the basic healthcare services to their relevant community people. We also have plans to set up a telemedicine facility that will use mobile phones to increase access to qualified health consultation.

Before the war, official justice in Sierra Leone was the luxury of the rich and well-connected, while the poor had little hope of attaining it. For this and other reasons, many Sierra Leoneans rely upon unofficial, tribal justice systems. BRAC launched a paralegal pilot project in 2010 funded by OSJI (Open Society Justice Initiative) and Trocaire for this purpose.

Paralegals were recruited and trained and they have already started hosting community meetings to introduce the BRAC’s human rights and legal empowerment program. Paralegal mobile clinics were also setup and it is one of the most effective tools used in sensitizing deprived communities on basic Human Rights.

BRAC’s work in Sierra Leone is made possible through the generous contributions of our partners -particularly Omidyar Network, SEDF, Foundation Open Society Institute, Humanity United and UNCDF MicroLead Program - and the support of the government, with whom BRAC enjoys a close working relationship.

Celebrating Sierra Leone’s 50th independence anniversary is a time for reflection, motivation and inspiration. BRAC feels the people of Sierra Leone should be proud as a nation to celebrate 50 years of existence as a cohesive nation with unity in diversity, natural endowments and the transformation as a nation from war to a nation in peace. It is BRAC’s firm belief that with the continued support and the strong involvement of our stakeholders, BRAC will be successful in forging ahead in Sierra Leone ensuring that the country’s poorest are given the opportunity to realise their potential.

Click here to learn more about BRAC's work in Sierra Leone.

By Imtiaz Ahmed, BRAC Communications

Justice for all: BRAC, Human Rights and Legal Services

Below is an article written by Akhila Kolisetty on her blog Justice for All.  Akhila recently graduated from Northwestern University and now works in D.C. for a civil rights law firm which uses litigation to advocate for the rights of racial minorities, the disabled, immigrants, refugees, prisoners & the indigent.  You can read her original article here.  Thanks Akhila!

Lately, I have been researching legal aid organizations around the world to learn more about other access to justice models that provide effective legal assistance to the poor. Thankfully, I stumbled upon the gem that is BRAC: who knew they had a ‘legal empowerment‘ arm?

BRAC’s Human Rights and Legal Services (HRLS) program provides legal education, legal aid and support services to protect marginalised communities from discrimination and exploitation in order to ensure access to justice for the poor through both formal and informal systems. Their work goes beyond the scope of legal representation and reflects BRAC’s awareness of the current socio-economic context and the underlying causes of vulnerability.

Their work has the following 3 components:

Capacity Building

BRAC holds workshops with community leaders to increase gender/human rights awareness – which is a first step to reducing corruption and structural mistreatment of women within the government and communities. More than 15,000 community leaders attended these training workshops in 2008.  By educating people at all levels, understanding of the legal system becomes common knowledge and translates into sustainable change. Following workshops, community leaders form a committee and make a commitment to promote fair treatment and proper implementation of laws throughout the region.

Legal Aid Services

In 1998, BRAC began the Legal Aid Programme to provide legal support and make the courts accessible to the poor. The HRLS programme operates 541 clinics in 61 districts of Bangladesh and is the largest NGO-led legal aid programme in the world. Over the past ten years, the Legal Aid Programme has grown to include the Alternative Dispute Resolution Programme, expanded legal offices and counsels, gender awareness training, and village-based law implementation committees. The focus has thus shifted from education to empowered action to improve legal legislation and the judicial system. Over the last five years, HRLS has provided legal aid support to 340 victims of acid throwing. They also do important work in representing individuals accused of a crime in Dhaka, working to clear out the prisons and alleviate overcrowding and horrible prison conditions.

Rights Awareness & Legal Literacy

Last, but not least – I am especially impressed by the following innovations:

• Barefoot Lawyers: Shebikas (female paralegal volunteers) also referred to as “barefoot lawyers” provide legal support to women in villages. By teaching the Human Rights & Legal Education course, Shebikas establish social networks in the community and are able to quickly support and rescue victims. To make legal representation sustainable, the barefoot lawyers pose as critical leaders and access points within the community. With increased points of contact within the community, rural women can stay connected to the legal system and pursue formal and informal legal services via their own initiative.
• Human Rights and Legal Education: Without the basic knowledge of the laws and the legal system, women cannot protect themselves or others in the community. The Human Rights and Legal Education (HRLE) programme primarily targets women at the village level to increase legal awareness, improve understanding of the judiciary system and ultimately influence behavioural change. Focusing on laws, legal systems and methods for seeking help, HRLE is for many women their first exposure to the concept of legal and human rights. Since its inception, 3.5 million women have been educated through HRLE.  Following the HRLE course, three women from each class form a law implementation committee (LIC) acting as observers in the community who help in conflict mediation and ensure access to legal resources. The LIC further raises awareness about legal rights and seeks to educate village courts of existing laws.

Needless to say, I am quite impressed by their work in legal empowerment as well as theircomprehensive reports and studies done to evaluate the need and the effectiveness of their programs in Bangladesh. Especially after the latest Greg Mortenson scandal, I am always looking for concrete monitoring and evaluations done by NGOs.  Check out this excellent report for a good review of the impact of BRAC and other Bangladeshi legal aid organizations: Legal Empowerment Strategies in Bangladesh: Empowering Women and Poor People through Legal Means.

Click here to read stories about some of the amazing women who've been part of our Human Rights and Legal Services program.

Afghan returnees forgetting fear, finding fortune

The following article was originally published by the Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan (MISFA).  Click here to read the original article.

A joint study conducted by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and BRAC show that contrary to their fears about coming home, many Afghan returnees found a better life through microfinance.

Former Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan, once reluctant returnees, are now thriving entrepreneurs through microfinance

Life was hard for Nargis and her family when they were living as refugees in Quetta. But they imagined life to be harder in their battle-torn homeland, Afghanistan. At least in Pakistan, there was electricity, water and access to good schools and health facilities.

When Nargis, 35, and her family decided to return to Afghanistan in 2004, with the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), their biggest fear was that they might not find a regular source of income and realize that life as refugees in another country is preferable than life without hope at home.

Six years later, the family’s initial fears are almost forgotten. Nargis and her husband, Mohammad Hussain Hasari, are running a thriving shop that is a major supplier of embroidered clothing to retail and bridal stores. They have a stable income from the business and employ some 30 other women to meet the demand for the intricate, indigenous embroidery on bridal gowns, head scarves, shelwar kamiz, and even on table cloths and pajamas.

They started their business from humble means—with a small loan borrowed from BRAC Afghanistan, a microfinance institution (MFI) providing credit services to poor Afghans, who have skills and business ideas, but have neither capital nor collateral to obtain a bank loan.

This family is one among hundreds of former refugees finding out that returning to Afghanistan is not such a bad decision. According to a study jointly initiated by UNHCR and BRAC Afghanistan, 94 percent of the 750 returnees surveyed have taken a loan for various purposes. The study, conducted last year, looks at the role of microfinance in lessening the vulnerabilities of borrowers, particularly returning Afghan refugees.

The survey randomly interviewed a sample size of 1,274 microfinance clients of BRAC from four Afghan provinces: Balkh, Herat, Kabul and Nangrahar. Of this sample, nearly 60 percent happened to be returnees from Iran and Pakistan.

More than 50 percent of the surveyed returnees who availed of BRAC’s microcredit program used the loan either as a working capital, or to purchase an equipment or a piece of land, or to repair their house for the business.

“I returned from Pakistan five years ago and borrowed 100,000 Afghanis (US$ 2,000) from BRAC to start my own business and I am very pleased with the outcome,” said another returnee, Fawad Hakimi who now runs a plumbing service in the Khairkhana area of Kabul.

Hakimi is among the 82 percent of returnees who stated that their income improved after receiving the loan. Some 60 percent of those interviewed have expectations that their income will continue to increase the following year.

“The voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees and their sustainable reintegration is subject to a variety of conditions including political, economic, and social factors” said Ewen Macleod, the UNHCR representative in Afghanistan.

The microfinance program is important to UNHCR, says Macleod, because it allows returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have gained skills during their years in exile, to set up and run their own businesses. This facilitates their immediate reintegration into the community and their self-sufficiency, while also sharing new skills and income-generating opportunities with others.

There are currently some 2.7 million registered Afghans living in Pakistan and Iran. The majority of those born in refugee camps outside the country are in their second or even third generation of displacement and are unable or unwilling to return to their homeland, mostly due to the limited socio-economic opportunities in Afghanistan.

More than half of the remaining Afghan refugee population in both countries have grown up in very different circumstances, in a more prosperous environment than found today in Afghanistan and are therefore reluctant to return to their home country. However, many of those who chose to return never looked back.

UNHCR’s partner in this study, BRAC, is the biggest microfinance provider in Afghanistan in terms of scale and scope. Since it started in 2003 and up to August 2010, BRAC Afghanistan has disbursed nearly 680,000 loans worth more than US$253 million.
Although there is no systematic way yet of collecting national-level data on the returnees participating in microfinance programs of BRAC and other MFIs, their number is believed to be significant, given that by the end of 2010, there were more than 430,000 Afghans participating in microfinance nationwide.

And with UNHCR estimating the number of returnees (both refugees and IDPs) to be around 5 million—or 20 percent of Afghanistan’s total population (25 million)—it’s hard to imagine that microfinance wouldn’t be one of their viable means for income generation and reintegration.

Click here to read more about BRAC's work in Afghanistan.

America’s Unofficial Ambassadors announces the Mosaic Scholarship Programme

America’s Unofficial Ambassadors (AUA) is a citizen’s initiative, which seeks to encourage Americans to volunteer in Muslim World communities to support local initiatives in human development areas such as education, community needs, health and civil society. It is an initiative to improve relationships between America and the Muslim world by understanding and respecting cultural differences, forming partnerships of mutual interest and building peace.

The AUA created a directory of recommended organisations where American citizens can volunteer and benefit through an exchange of knowledge and experience. Out of 1,000 organizations reviewed in 2011, only 36 were selected, including BRAC.

Now, they have taken it a step further and have announced the AUA Mosaic Scholarship programme. The programme will boost the number of unofficial ambassadors who will represent America in all its diversity. The AUA Mosaic Scholarship ranges from $2,000 - $5,000 to cover programme and travel expenses. Volunteers and interns who apply to work with BRAC in Bangladesh may be eligible for this scholarship. For detailed information about the AUA scholarship please click here.

BRAC offers volunteering and internship opportunities to provide exposure to the different interventions of BRAC. Interns also get field experience at community and grassroots level and can experience and learn from the development model of BRAC.

Robert, who participated in our internship programme in 2008 says "This was a life-changing experience for me. My passion for international development was sparked by my experience with BRAC. There’s no better sense for how holistic development can be achieved through a single non-profit organization. If you can build platforms and create infrastructure, there is this multiplier effect; millions of people can pull themselves out of poverty...I’ve worked with a lot of different organizations and I don’t think that anyone can do it as well as BRAC does.”

Click here for more details on volunteering and internship opportunities at BRAC.

Press Release: BRAC Selected a Devex Top 40 Innovator

18 April 2011, BRAC was selected as a Devex Top 40 Development Innovator based on a poll of thousands of Devex members, who collectively comprise one of the largest networks of global aid and international development professionals. Devex announced the Top 40 Development Innovators on April 18 on Facebook at http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/devex.

Many of the top 40 innovators also participated in a Q&A on innovation, designed to spur a broader dialogue in the development community (see Facebook for links to specific Q&As).

"Solving the big global challenges we face – from climate change to poverty – will require innovation,” Devex President Raj Kumar said. “We are proud to honor these 40 organizations that are leveraging innovative techniques and approaches to solve complex problems.”

“We are honored to be selected by the Devex community as a Top 40 Development Innovator, especially as the only South-based NGO to be chosen” said Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder and Chairperson of BRAC. “BRAC strives towards continuous innovation in its holistic approach to addressing poverty. Our real success has been in adapting these creative solutions to differing contexts and being able scale up quickly to make significant impact. And we strive do this while keeping a focus on the lives of individuals and communities.”

The Devex Top 40 Development Innovators include four types of international development organizations: donor agencies & foundations, development consulting companies, implementing NGOs, and advocacy groups. The selection is based on a survey Devex emailed to more than 100,000 aid workers and international development professionals.

All honorees will be recognized at a reception at the House of Sweden in Washington, DC on April 21st with Chris Thomas, Chief Strategist at Intel and Sonal Shah, White House Director of Social Innovation as featured speakers. BRAC Executive Director Dr. Mahabub Hossaid and BRAC USA President & CEO Susan Davis will represent BRAC at the reception.

About BRAC

BRAC is a global development organization dedicated to alleviating poverty by empowering the poor to bring about change in their own lives. BRAC’s holistic approach aims to achieve large scale, positive changes through economic and social programs that enable women and men to realize their potential. BRAC was launched in Bangladesh in 1972 and today reaches more than 138 million people in Africa and Asia through its programs that address poverty by providing micro-loans, self-employment opportunities, health services, education and legal and human rights services. Learn more at http://www.bracusa.org/.

About Devex

More than 500,000 aid workers and development professionals turn to Devex for international development business, careers, and news. Our online platform – utilized by nearly every major development institution in the world – is helping to create efficiency through an open marketplace for projects, talent, and ideas. Our motto is “Do Good. Do It Well.” because we support the mission of global development professionals, corporations, NGOs, and donor agencies around the world. Join us at devex.com.

Media Contacts:

BRAC USA
Michelle Chaplin
+1 212 808 5615
michelle@bracusa.org

Devex
Pauline Zalkin
+1 202 709 6494

Former BRAC USA Staff Member Shares her Passion

Shatterbox, a video-based social community for students and young professionals to find inspiration and share ideas about innovative careers, profiled former BRAC USA staff person, Rachael Chong. In her interview, Rachael discusses how her passion for international development led her to leave her comfortable life in the private sector to pursue opportunities in international development. Her passion for social good led her to BRAC USA and eventually inspired her to found her own company, Catchafire, which is dedicated to matching non-profits with skilled volunteers.
Watch the video and learn about Rachael's journey!

BRAC Uganda Observes World Tuberculosis Day

Each year, March 24th commemorates the day on which Dr. Robert Koch identified the cause of Tuberculosis (TB), a deadly infectious disease which can be prevented through screening and vaccination and treated with antibiotics. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.7 million people died from TB in 2009. The highest number of deaths was in the Africa region. BRAC Uganda is working to lower the incidence of TB through detection and treatment.

On March 24, BRAC Uganda observed World TB Day in the areas where BRAC implements a TB detection and treatment program. The events were undertaken in consultation with the District Health Officers in Kitgum, Pader, Arua and Nebbi districts. It was the first time World TB Day was observed in those districts.

In Nebbi, Kitgum and Pader, BRAC organised a radio spot focusing on TB signs and symptoms. Certain districts held colorful rallys that attracted up to 80 participants. In the Nebbi market, a short performance depicting TB signs, symptoms and treatment attracted a large audience.

After the rally in Kitgum, BRAC distributed anti-TB medicine to District Health Officials. The program was concluded with a speech from the Resident District Commissioner (RDC). Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also collaborated during this occasion. BRAC Uganda also distributed anti-TB medicine in Maracha and Zamboo. In Maracha, there were meetings with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), BRAC and WHO Zonal Medical Officer. After being briefed on BRAC’s interventions on TB by the District Health Officer as well as WHO representatives, the CAO committed to incorporate BRAC’s activities in the annual plan for the district.

Skoll 2011: Interview with Susan Davis and Rumee Ali

The following article, written by Jenna Nicholas, was originally published on April 6, 2011 on the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) Blog.

One of the most exciting announcements at the Skoll World Forum was revealed during the opening plenary: BRAC and MasterCard Foundation announced a $45 million partnership, created to scale BRAC’s innovative microfinance multiplied model in Uganda (more about the partnership here).

BRAC’s Susan Davis and Rumee Ali were intimately involved in the development of this partnership. Susan Davis is a founder and the current president and CEO of BRAC USA. Her role is to introduce BRAC’s innovative development approach to improving the health, wealth, and well being to the poorest women—and their families—in Africa and Asia. Rumee Ali is the managing director of Enterprises and Investments at BRAC and chairman at BRAC Bank Limited, Dhaka. Rumee is responsible for overseeing the social entrepreneurial activities of BRAC. He gave a fantastic overview of the current state of social entrepreneurship.

When I asked them if they see a potential conflict between financial and social goals, Rumee replied that in creating value within an organization, you have to consider environmental and social objectives and that there is constantly a need to balance social and business goals. In particular, he said, it is essential to ensure that investments and social entrepreneurship begin with interventions and that they are sustainable. He also suggested that it is necessary for social enterprises to generate surplus, create jobs, and sell investments. He contended that microfinance is not the only solution and that education is essential for determining the best activity in any given situation.

I also asked them what they saw as the current state of social entrepreneurship. Rumee argued that the current state of organizations is such that there are philanthropic, altruistic foundations on the one hand and exploitative, selfish companies on the other. In the middle of this spectrum, he suggested, sat CSR organizations. There is increasing pressure for both philanthropic and exploitative organizations to move closer towards the center. Rumee suggested that there was a movement to a point of convergence between these different types of organizations.

Finally, I asked about opportunities for social entrepreneurship in the future. Rumee suggested that BRAC faces the challenge of standardizing their work and giving the opportunity to more social entrepreneurs to gain access to markets. BRAC has a strategy to create jobs, which is both efficient and has a positive social impact. The aim of the BRAC bank is to make investments with a purpose and to facilitate access to capital and the opportunity of incubating social businesses. The bank encourages a democratization of the banking system to allow more people in. Rumee drew a comparison between this process and the current situation in the Middle East where people have begun to say, “I need to be a part of this.” This led to pressure for a system that benefits all, not just a few. Through developing an ecosystem, everyone can have a role.

Intern with BRAC USA!

Are you interested in international development? Do you want to learn from BRAC, one of the world's largest and most effective international development organizations?

BRAC USA is seeking motivated individuals to assist with a variety of projects and initiatives related to BRAC's programmatic areas including public education, program and strategic support services to BRAC programs in Africa and Asia, and grant administration and strategy.

Come learn about international development from one of the leaders in the field! This unpaid internship is an excellent opportunity for those interested in learning about fundraising, grant making and BRAC's scalable and sustainable approach to poverty alleviation.

Interns will possess excellent writing and editing skills, strong interest in international development, ability to work independently and quickly, strong research skills, experience with the nonprofit sector, and proficiency with Microsoft Office software. Preference will be given to candidates with advance degrees. BRAC USA is looking for a minimum commitment of 8 weeks between May and August 2011.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Sherie Gertler at sherie@bracusa.org with "Summer Internship 2011" in the subject line.

BRAC Uganda holds a Youth Watch Workshop

On March 16, 2011 BRAC Uganda's Research and Evaluation Unit held a workshop, which provided a platform for BRAC to present the concept for the 2011 Youth Watch report titled "Problem or Promise: Harnessing Youth Potential in Uganda."

The workshop sought to draw upon the knowledge and expertise of key stakeholders working with and for youth in Uganda. It also helped BRAC Uganda to continue to build partnerships with agencies and organizations working with youth, and to coordinate with other youth research initiatives. Participants included Government officials from the Department of Youth Affairs within the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Finance. Other participants came from multilateral and bilateral agencies, and NGOs working with and for youth in Uganda.

The presentation on Youth Watch was well-received with Mr. Kyateka Mondo, the Acting Commissioner for Youth Affairs, telling the audience, "Many times we have prescribed the wrong medicine for youth. We run the risk of doing the wrong things over and over again, and it is because of this that this research will be useful to policy."

The workshop was interactive, with discussions around popular conceptions of youth, proposed research, issue of coordination, and policy on youth. Mr. Mondo praised BRAC Uganda's focus on whether stereotypes of youth match reality. He notes that with youth often painted as a problem to be solved, it will be interesting to see if this is indeed the case. Youth Watch 2011 is due to be published in August 2011.

Aarong launches a Flagship store

On 25th March, Aarong - A BRAC social enterprise, now in its 33rd year of operation, opened the doors to it's newest Flagship store. Aarong is Bangladesh's leading fashion and lifestyle brand. At 36,000 sq. ft. the new outlet, located in Uttara is currently the country’s largest retail store. True to the Aarong tradition of continuously raising the bar, this store utilises state of the art layout and décor to create an unparalleled shopping experience. While shopping at Aarong, one can appreciate the fact that Aarong is creating employment for rural women who have very few work opportunities. Aarong's value chain incorporates rural Bangladeshi artisans, mostly women, who have kept the age old tradition of Bangladesh's arts and crafts alive.

Aarong was seeded by the late Mrs. Ayesha Abed who wanted to provide a market linkage for the products made by women in the villages. Three decades later, Aarong has expanded it's operations to include 10 stoes across Bangladesh and a workforce of 65,000 rural artisans. It is difficult to find another example of a successful lifestyle retailer with the sole mission of providing employment to rural artisans, at the scale Aarong has achieved.

Nakshi Kantha, a traditional Bangladeshi embroidery, has been chosen as the overall theme for the store, to reflect Aarong’s pioneering role in the revival of this unique Bangladeshi craft. Spanning the north wall of the building is a six story mural titled "Aarong’s Tree of Life" – in which Aarong’s story is interwoven with the many thousands of stories of its family of artisans. The network of roots and branches of the tree is in fact an image of the rivers of Bangladesh. The motifs that form the tree use unique Nakshi Kantha patterns shaped from natural materials - metal, wood, clay, leather and bamboo-indigenous to the work of the country’s artisans.

This new flagship store is a testament to BRAC's commitment towards generating employment for the rural artisan workforce for the last 33 years. A wide array of Bangladeshi arts and crafts have been featured in the store, both in the product offering and the store decor itself. This includes beautiful Nakshi Kantha embroidery work, hand loomed fabrics, delicate Jamdani (hand-loomed lace) saris, handcrafted footwear and accesories, apparel, brass sculptures and trendy home-furnishings, just to name a few.

“All our efforts culminate in the creation of a complete, state-of-the-art retail experience for the customer. For the past three decades, our customers have relied on Aarong not only for the unique design and impeccable quality of our products, but to also set standards in Bangladesh’s retail industry with regard to the quality and extent of our customer satisfaction efforts. We hope that the unparalleled shopping experience we are offering at our flagship store will add a whole new dimension to the country’s retail industry”, said Tamara Abed, Director, Aarong.

The outlet was inaugurated by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder & Chairperson BRAC. Muhammad A. (Rumee) Ali, Managing Director, BRAC Enterprises, Tamara Abed, Director, Aarong and other senior officials from Aarong and BRAC.