"Impacts of Electricity Access to Rural SMEs"

This study was intended towards evaluating the impact of electricity availability on the operation and performance of SMEs in the rural areas of Bangladesh. The results are based on a study from a survey carried out in two electrified villages in Paikgacha, Khulna. The study detected favorable changes on the production costs, profit margin, development and modernization of business, women empowerment, quality of life, and human development due to the electrification. The findings of the paper will help the stakeholders in number of areas including developing grid electricity services, supporting rural electrification programs, developing the updated framework for micro enterprise development and also overall reduction of poverty in the rural and disadvantaged areas of Bangladesh.