A daylong conference for entrepreneurs brought together nearly 500 successful women entrepreneurs to showcase their products and share experiences on building theirs ventures.
The Women Entrepreneurs Conference and Product Exhibition was organised by SME and Special Programme Department of Bangladesh Bank (BB) in city’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotal.
BB governor Dr Atiur Rahman inaugurated the conference and exhibition as the chief guest, saying insufficient financing is barring the empowerment of the women.
But, the government and Bangladesh Bank have been working for the development and evolvement of women entrepreneurship wiping up the barriers, they are involving more women in economic activities, he added.
Referring to the adequate refinancing fund for women, the BB governor said, “Bangladesh Bank will continue refinance in the SME sector for the women till there is demand.”
Atiur said: “I believe the SME loan will continue even after my departure from the post of governor, as the SME sector is a successful case now.”
Mikio Hataeda, JICA chief representative in Bangladesh, Prof Hannana Begum, Bangladesh Bank Director, Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, President of FBCCI, Rokia Afzal Rahman, President MCCI, Jamie Terzi, Country Director Care Bangladesh, Ali Reza Iftekhar, President of ABB, Asad Khan, Chairman of BLFCA, Mohammad Shahjahan Khan, President of DCCI, Sukamal Sinha Chowdhury and BB deputy governor Abul Kashem also spoke on the occasion.
BB executive director Nirmal Chandra Bhakta presided over the inaugural session while Masum Patwary, BB General Manager of SME and Special Programme, gave welcome address.
Nearly 500 successful women entrepreneurs from different parts of the country funded by 64 banks and non-banking financial institutions took part in the conference. The products of the women entrepreneurs were also displayed in 78 stalls in the conference premises.
Besides, two panel discussions on “Women in Business:
Networking and Organisation” and “Responsibility of Different Stakeholders in Women SME Development” were held with the participation of experts, bankers and entrepreneurs.
