Citing that half of the country’s population are women and it is not possible to develop the national economy without accounting for their contributions, Md. Obaidul Hoque, Executive Director, SMESPD, Bangladesh Bank
He said that to further increase the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the economy, everyone must come forward in support of the governments initiatives and programs.
He was addressing a ceremony organised by the Premier Bank Limited to celebrated International Women’s Day 2022, also arranging an elegant award ceremony to honor the success of women entrepreneurs at Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel last Thursday.
Md. Obaidul Hoque attended the ceremony as chief guest along while Muhammed Ali, Advisor of Premier Bank, Md. Jaker Hossain, General Manager, SMESPD, Bangladesh Bank also attended the event as Special Guest while M. Reazul Karim, FCMA, Managing Director & CEO of the bank Limited presided over the program.
Obaidul Hoque in his speech thanked Premier Bank for the initiative to honor women entrepreneurs and said that half our
Muhammad Ali stated in his speech that the contribution of women entrepreneurs in sustainable economic development is imperative.
He stated that in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the incorporation of SME within Industry Policy in 2010 allowed the success of women entrepreneurs and SME businesses to realize the Golden Bengal envisioned by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. M. Reazul Karim said in his speech that Premier Bank has continued to fund and carry out various SME activities in accordance to the regulations of SME financing and guidance provided by Bangladesh Bank. "We are trying to drive growth and profits while spurring positive social change by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises owned by women", he added.
The SME Women Entrepreneurs Award recipients were Jahanara Begum, Suntex International in the category of Trading; Sharmin Akter, Material Handling Solution in the category of Service; Saria Hossain, Knots Logistics Limited in the category of Service.
Liza Fahmida, Deputy General Manager, Rozina Akhter Mostafi, Deputy General Manager and Afsana Choudhury, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Bank also attended the ceremony along with Syed Nowsher Ali, DMD and Head of Banani Branch, Shamsuddin Choudhury, DMD and Head of Motijheel Branch, Shahed Sikandar, DMD and Head of Gulshan Branch, Kazi Ahsan Khalil, DMD and Chief Business Officer (CBO), Syed Abul Hashem, DMD and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mohammed Imtiaz Uddin, SEVP and Head of SME & Agriculture Loan Division, Md. Tareq Uddin, EVP and Head of Brand Marketing and Communications along with other bank high officials and women entrepreneurs were also present at the ceremony.
