Bangladesh Bank yesterday asked all banks and financial institutions to set up separate units at their head offices to serve women entrepreneurs effectively.

The banks face a 15-day deadline to form the new units, according to a notice issued by the central bank.

The BB advised the banks and financial institutions to deploy women officials at these units on a priority basis.

The central bank has taken lots of initiatives since 2010 to develop small businesses and women entrepreneurship in

the country. It created a separate department, SME and Special Programmes Department.