WEAB proposals for next budget

Calling for women-friendly tax rules, Women Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (WEAB) has requested for Tk 4 lakh tax free enrolment for women entrepreneurs to expand their businesses in the country instead of Tk 3 lakh.  They came up with the call at a press conference at Pragati Insurance Ltd on budget proposal of WEAB for National Budget 2019-20 yesterday.

Referring tax as a challenge for women entrepreneurs, they said corporate tax should reduce to 25% from 35% for companies owned by women. They also urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to extend the tax free facilities for startup to 5 years and for resource tax free for the products that's produced by women entrepreneurs. They also urged Bangladesh Bank to allocate 20% from EEF which it amounting Tk 150 crore for the development of women friendly activities.

WEAB also called for 30% land allocation in every government projects and 25% land allocation in economic zones, special economic zones and EPZs.

Taking about the export, they wanted 10% cash incentive, increase the number of participation to attend international fairs, up to 10% quota of stall in all fairs and one stop solution for women entrepreneurs should in the Commerce Ministry.  In the conference, WEAB said that the rate of women entrepreneurship is more than 10% in Bangladesh and WEAB is playing an essential role since its inception on 2000.