Bangladesh: Thrust On Positive Policy Measures For Women-run SME
Speakers at a discussion meeting of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) said that the various social barriers of the country needs to be addressed for creating a congenial environment so that the women can easily participate the mainstream economy.
The Constitution has granted equal rights for male and female, but women are still unable to enjoy the constitutional provision due to existing social values and structures, they added.
They were speaking at a focus group discussion (FGD) meeting, organised by the BWCCI in the city recently.
BWCCI Senior Vice President Sangita Ahmed presided over the meeting, while Regional Advocacy Coordinator Aktaruzzaman facilitated the interactive discussion.
Representatives from different public and private institutions like Bank Asia, BRAC Bank, BRAC, BURO Tangail, City Bank, AB Bank along with journalists of print and electronic media, a number of women entrepreneurs and BWCCI directors attended the programme.
The women entrepreneurs participating at the meeting demanded for easy access to formal credit, creating enabling social environment, making existing provision of issuing trade license easier etc.
Also, the discussion added, the government should launch special programmes on women entrepreneurship development to bring the women folk to the mainstream economy.
Based on interactive discussion, a set of recommendations were formulated at the meeting, like - all financial institutions should give special preference to women entrepreneurs, and provide loans in low interest rates.
Besides, respective authority should provide information and training regarding the procedures of TAX, VAT and other regulatory process for women entrepreneurs, and ease all sorts of regulatory process, they said.
The speakers also demanded for special provision in the budget for women SME development. Business association, NGO and other relevant agencies should have units for providing legal advice and other counseling supports to women entrepreneurs, they also added.
Source: Financial Express