Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) as a national platform of women entrepreneurs expresses its gratitude to the government for placing highest importance on health sector and naming agriculture, social safety net, SME, industrial production and service sectors as priority sectors.
The Chamber also thanks the government for increasing the TAX limit for both men and women and introducing two separate working capital loan facilities for the affected SMEs with nominal interest.
The pandemic is currently causing dire consequences in Bangladesh as it is around the world. Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, strongly recommends incorporation of the following points aimed at the welfare of women entrepreneurs in the national budget:
1. Like previous years, the reserve allocation of Taka 100 crore for women entrepreneurship development (training and employment) to be continued in the proposed budget;
2. Setting personal income tax limit for women at BDT 4 lakh.
3. After the corona situation improves, VAT and Tax should be waived for the first 6 months after resumption of business. VAT should also be reduced from 15% to 4%; for women owned businesses.
4. Exemption of Tax, VAT and Trade License fees for new women entrepreneurs for the first 3 years of starting a business.
BWCCI firmly believes that, the present government is a women friendly government, a prerequisite to the comprehensive development of the country. If the above proposals are considered in the revised National Budget 2020-21, the economic empowerment of women will be increased towards the sustainable growth of the country.
