Women entrepreneurs at a views-exchange meeting here on Saturday called upon all quarters, including the government, to extend all-out support to them so that they can make smooth progress in business, especially in the industrial sector. Founder president of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) Selima Ahmad in her chief guest’s speech at the function said women entrepreneurs are playing a great role in the country’s economy and their participation in industry-oriented activities should be encouraged on a large scale. Attainment of the middle-income country status for Bangladesh depends largely on the entrepreneurial participation of females, Selima added.
She urged the government to allocate sufficient fund, arrange necessary bank loan and extend other supports to the women entrepreneurs to enable them to run business properly. The local government organisations like city corporations and municipalities can help women entrepreneurs by establishing special markets and shopping malls for them at low rent and less deposit, she said further. At the views-exchange meeting with the local women entrepreneurs, held at Purbanchal Bhaban Dialogue Centre in the city, Selima stressed the need for identifying the challenges in economic empowerment.
BWCCI Khulna divisional unit arranged the meeting in cooperation with USAID and PRODIP of The Asia Foundation and UKaid.
BWCCI Khulna divisional unit president Shamima Sultana Sheelu presided over the meeting. Programme director of BWCCI Syed Sultan Chand made a presentation on the aims and objectives of the organisation. BWCCI Khulna divisional general secretary Lutfun Haque Piya delivered the welcome speech. The women entrepreneurs in the country should not confine themselves only to boutique and readymade garments; rather they should engage themselves in many more creative ventures, she said.
The speakers underlined the need for creating linkage between the producers and the businessmen to ensure fair prices for all the products in the greater interest of the growers and profit for the business group in the markets in a bid to sustain their respective job. Over 40 women entrepreneurs from Khulna city and adjoining areas attended the meeting.
They urged the private banks to give collateral-free and low-interest small and medium enterprise (SME) loans to the women entrepreneurs so that they can make progress in the industrial sector.
-With The Independent input
