BWCCI holds workshop to identify challenges of women entrepreneurs

DHAKA, Nov. 16 (Women Chamber Press Release) — A workshop titled ‘Challenges of women entrepreneurs and ways to overcome’ was organized today 16 November, 2013 by Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) in cooperation with USAID and PRODIP of The Asia Foundation at Purbanchal Dialogue Center, Khulna. BWCCI’s Founder President Ms. Selima Ahmad was present as the chief guest while Khulna divisional head of BWCCI Ms. Shamima Sultana Shilu chaired the event.

Giving her speech, Ms. Shamima Sultana Shilu welcomed all and said that the growing involvement of women in entrepreneurial activities in the last few decades has added a new dimension in the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh and today, women entrepreneurs are directly contributing to our national economy. But still, we do not have separate national business policies for women entrepreneurs. She mentioned that the workshop’s chief guest and BWCCI’s Founder President Ms. Selima Ahmad is an ideal for women entrepreneurs and urged all to take part in all kinds of economic activities more proactively and successfully

BWCCI’s Project Manager Mr. Sultan Chand presented the findings about the constraints and opportunities of women entrepreneurs in relation to access to finance and in access to market which were identified during the implementation of various activities of the project.

In the open discussion, women entrepreneurs participated enthusiastically and through that discussion, some important points came up to overcome the existing challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.

Speaking as the chief guest Ms. Selima Ahmad said that as women constitute half of the population of the country therefore, the significance of women’s participation in economic activities towards the development of sustainable economy is undeniable. Keeping this huge population out of the mainstream economy, the dream of national development is a far cry, she said. Ms. Ahmad emphasized on the importance of women’s economic empowerment and pointed out that to materialize this; cooperation from both public and private sectors is needed. She added that women entrepreneurs also need to develop themselves more as business women and run their businesses confidently thus contributing more to the economy of the country. Apart from this, she told women entrepreneurs to communicate effectively to the local government institutes especially to City Corporation for women entrepreneurs’ access in to market place. Then, she hoped that Bangladesh will truly emerge as a prosperous and self-reliable country.

In her closing speech, BWCCI’s divisional Secretary Ms Lutfun Haq Pia thanked Ms. Selima Ahmad for continuing her work to achieve women’s economic empowerment. She hoped that all relevant parties would come forward to play more proactive roles in women entrepreneurship development and wrapped up the day’s workshop.