The government is going to allot plots for women entrepreneurs in every district to ensure rapid development of women entrepreneurship in the country, said Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Saturday.
He said women, as entrepreneurs, have established themselves and are contributing significantly in the country’s economic growth.
The minister passed the comments while delivering speech as chief guest in an award giving ceremony of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BWCCU) at the IDEB Bhaban in the city’s Kakrail area.
Mentioning that BWCCI’s initiative of distributing progressive award inspires women entrepreneurs, he said the BWCCI was making a remarkable contribution in empowering women by turning them self-reliant. He went on to say that they would allot plots for women entrepreneurs in districts where there have BSCIC industrial plots consulting with the BWCCI.
“There will be quota for women entrepreneurs in each marketplace in city areas. Our ministry will do everything possible for women entrepreneurship development and our honorable Prime Minister is always with us", Humayun added.
Manmohan Parkash, country director, Bangladesh Resident Mission (BRM), Asian Development Bank praised the women entrepreneurs and stated that the 21st century is the century of women entrepreneurs.
BWCCI’s Founder President Selima Ahmad MP presided over the ceremony while S M Moniruzzaman, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank was present at the event as special guest. Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director & CEO, Eastern Bank Ltd, Mohammad Shams-Ul Islam, MD & CEO of Agrani Bank were present as guests of honour.
Delivering her speech BWCCI’s President Selima Ahmad said that Bangladesh is developing and would keep developing day by day. Women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh is also developing but still there are some hurdles on the way. Women entrepreneurs are to undergo harassments in getting access to finance.
She urged the industries minister to arrange allocation of stalls at SME fairs for women entrepreneurs for free of charges.
She also requested the SME Foundation to train the grassroots-level women so that they can have the loan facility.
A total of 8 women entrepreneurs from 8 divisions, who are also BWCCI members, were awarded for their significant contribution in business and economic development.
The winners are Tahamina Morsed from Barishal division, Nayan Salena from Chattogram division, Rehana Akter from Dhaka division, Nurjahan Khanom from Khulna division, Jannatus Safa Shahinur from Rangpur division, Mala Sarker from Rajshahi division, Suhana Rahman Chowdhury from Sylhet division and Saida Akhter from Mymensingh division.
