The Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor (ASM) 2021, Volume III—Digitalizing Microfinance in Bangladesh: Findings from the Baseline Survey was prepared by the thematic study subteam of the ASM, comprising the subject experts listed below. The thematic study was led, reviewed, and edited by Shigehiro Shinozaki, senior economist, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department (ERCD) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The report was authored by Shahid Khandker, ADB consultant; Minhaj Mahmud, ADB consultant; and Hussain Samad, ADB consultant. The research was assisted by Ahmed Adib, Rezoanul Haque, and Mashiat Hoque at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). The study was jointly implemented under technical assistance (TA) 9746-REG: Upgrading the Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor and TA 6585-REG: Impact Evaluation of Financial Technology Innovations in Selected Developing Member Countries. The study benefited from the advice and inputs of Takashi Yamano, principal economist of the Economic Analysis and Operational Support Division, ERCD.

The baseline survey was implemented by Dhaka-based thinktank BIDS from October to December 2021. In this study, we faced serious difficulty in conducting field surveys because of surging COVID-19 cases and mobility restrictions in Bangladesh at the time. Against this backdrop, we completed the baseline survey, although we were forced to reschedule the planned publication to 2022. This study was funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction as cofinancing partner to the ASM project. Administrative support was provided by Richard Supangan and Maria Frederika Bautista.