Women entrepreneurs urge low-interest loans, Govt support for sustainability

Female business leaders and representatives from various women’s chambers have called for low-interest loans, easy credit access, and enhanced capacity-building support to ensure the sustainability of women-led enterprises in Bangladesh. These demands were raised on Monday during an exchange meeting organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), focusing on the development and skill enhancement of women’s chambers and associations. Women entrepreneurs and representatives of women's chambers from different districts, government officials and entrepreneurs, as well as representatives of related organizations participated in the meeting, reports BSS.

Women entrepreneurs and leaders in the meeting said although loans are supposed to be provided to women on easy terms, in reality they are not getting it. Although the central bank has given the necessary instructions for this, managers of commercial banks at the district and upazila levels create various obstacles in this regard. In such a situation, women entrepreneurs want to make it easier to get bank loans. FBCCI Administrator Md. Abdur Rahim Khan presided over the meeting.  Md Abdur Rahim Khan said recommendations received to address the challenges of women entrepreneurs at the field level will be presented to the government.

He also said that the government has taken steps to establish women's chambers in all districts. This will increase women's economic activities. The country's economic growth will also increase. FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir said although women play a major role in the development of the country and society, we have not been able to fully integrate women in economic activities. However, women have come a long way since the independence of Bangladesh.

Nasreen Fatema Awal, President of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (WEAB), said there are several policies for the development of women. However, they need to be properly implemented. She emphasized on low-interest loans, training and workshops for women. Ferdous Ara Begum, CEO of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), said the government is keen to support women entrepreneurs. For this, many women-friendly policies and rules have been formulated. Many budding women entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs in districts, upazilas and rural areas, are not aware of these policies. She urged entrepreneurs to learn about the government's cooperation and benefits and accept them in compliance.

Tanvir Ahmed, Senior Advisor of She-Trades Initiative of Asia Women, presented the keynote at the meeting and highlighted various challenges and things to be done for women entrepreneurs. Sultana Yasmin, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, mentioned various steps taken by the government, including organizing various training and workshops for women entrepreneurs. 

She said the recommendations related to women entrepreneurs will be presented to appropriate authorities of the ministry. Additional Director of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Afrina Nasrin, Gender Team Leader of UNDP Bangladesh Sharmin Islam, Deputy Managing Director of SME Foundation Farzana Khan also spoke at the exchange of views.