Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BWCCI) yesterday launched a “2020: Empower 5000” to help 5,000 women entrepreneurs graduate from micro to SME level as well as bring them into the mainstream of the private sector by 2020.
The initiative was launched Wednesday, at a function organised by the BWCCI at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.
BWCCI President Selima Ahmad presented the keynote paper while the chamber’s immediate past president Sangita Ahmed delivered the welcome address, reports UNB.
Executive Director of Ain-o-Salish Kendro advocate Sultana Kamal, former adviser to the caretaker government Geeti Ara Safia Chowdhury and Bangladesh Mohila Parishad president Ayesha Khanam spoke on the occasion.
The speakers emphasised on proper utilisation of the fund allocated in the national budget for the development of women.
In his budget speech in Parliament on June 5, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said: “In order to make our womenfolk self-reliant, we will expand microcredit programmes and continue to provide special incentives to women entrepreneurs. A special allocation of Tk100 crore will be provided in the budget for the next year for development of women.”
In her keynote presentation, Selima Ahmad said that the targeted 5000 women entrepreneurs will grow their business and will be a part of the mainstream private sector of Bangladesh.
“These will enable to generate employment, resources in the national economy by paying tax and VAT, enhance gender equality and reduce poverty which will support Bangladesh to be a middle income country,” she added.
The thematic areas of the initiative are capacity development, product development, marketing, research and development, leadership development, export market promotion, facilitating access to finance, advocacy, ICT, E-commerce and digitalisation, environmental conservation, reduce gender disparities, sexual and reproductive health rights.
Speaking on the occasion, Adv Sultana Kamal, also a former adviser to the caretaker government, stressed that the women entrepreneurs should not remain stunted in the SME sector. Rather, they would have to avail the opportunity of becoming big and large entrepreneurs keeping their skills, efficiency and professionalism.
Bangladesh Mohila Parishad President Ayesha Khanam said that the government, the state and the society would have to come up to assist the bid of the women chamber to groom further women entrepreneurship in the country.
She observed that there should be specific monitoring and mechanism tool at the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and at the Planning Commission to monitor proper utilisation of fund for women development.
The BWCCI president also showed in her presentation that about Tk218 crore or some $28 million would be required for materialising the initiative.
Three women entrepreneurs – Jimmy Parvin, Shaila Sultana Mili and Tania Wahab – shared their experiences at the launching ceremony towards becoming successful entrepreneurs with the help of BWCCI.
Representatives from the concerned ministries and development partners were present at the function.