Editor, Mohammad Sajibul-al-Rajib:
Women’s economic empowerment has been identified as one of the main pillars for Bangladesh’s sustainable development, increased investment and advancement in global competitiveness, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita), MP. She said that if more opportunities are created for women, the country will reach new heights in innovation, employment and economic prosperity. Empowering women is not just a question of equality, but it is an effective strategy to accelerate the overall development of the country.
She said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the ‘Japan-Bangladesh Business Women Conference’ organized by the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) at the Grand Ballroom of Sheraton Dhaka in the capital on Sunday (July 26, 2026). The theme of the conference, organized in collaboration with JETRO Dhaka and the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka (JCIAD), was “Empowering Women in Business: Driving Sustainable Growth in Bangladesh through ‘Give to Gain’.”
The Minister said that trade, investment and business cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan has now entered a new era. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, JICA, JETRO and JBCCI for their long-standing cooperation. He said that this partnership is further strengthening the economic relations between the two countries and will open new possibilities in the future.
Afroza Khanam (Rita) said that women in Bangladesh have made significant progress in education, employment and entrepreneurship development. Women’s contribution in the ready-made garment industry, agriculture, IT, healthcare and micro-enterprise sectors has enriched the country’s economy. However, there are still challenges such as financing, market access, leadership opportunities and skill development, which need to be addressed through joint efforts.
He said, the main message of the ‘Give to Gain’ philosophy is that creating opportunities leads to innovation, and cooperation leads to prosperity. Empowering women can ensure not only personal development, but also sustainable progress of business, industry and the national economy.
The conference was attended by Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and the Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Takahashi Junko as the guest of honor.
In his welcome address, JBCCI President Tarek Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun) said that women’s economic empowerment should not be considered as a side issue of development, but rather as one of the strongest strategies for Bangladesh’s growth, competitiveness and long-term prosperity. He said that women should be ensured opportunities not only in employment but also in ownership, executive leadership, large-scale entrepreneurship and access to international markets.
He further said that if financial institutions create equitable growth-oriented financing opportunities for women, if corporates increase opportunities in the procurement and supply chain for women entrepreneurs, if experienced businesspeople provide mentorship and ensure women’s participation in leadership positions, then the benefits will be stronger businesses, better corporate governance, more employment and inclusive economic development.
The event was addressed as a guest speaker by Yuji Wagata, President of JCIAD. The keynote address was delivered by Maria Howlader FCA, Secretary General of JBCCI, and Shiori Onishi, Co-CEO of Euglena GG Limited. In addition, Touhida Shiropa, Founder of ‘Moner Bandhu’, shared her inspiring journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Mitsuru Izumo, Founder and President of Euglena Company Limited and Chairman of Euglena GG Limited also spoke.
The high-level panel discussion, moderated by Maria Hawlader FCA, explored the structural, financial, social and professional barriers to women’s participation in business and leadership. The panelists included Akhtar Sanjida Kasem, Managing Partner of A. Kasem & Company, Kazuyuki Kataoka, Country Representative of JETRO Dhaka and Joint Secretary General of JBCCI, Yuri Miyagawa, General Manager of Marubeni Corporation, Syed Mohammad Tanvir, Managing Director of Pacific Jeans Limited, and Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen, IBA Professor, University of Dhaka and Chairman of National Bank PLC.
The panel discussion focused on women’s access to finance, technology, professional skills, safe working environments, corporate procurement policies, formal business networks, executive management and increasing opportunities for participation in the board of directors. In addition, the need to make women-led businesses investment-friendly, export-friendly and linked to global supply chains, including Japan, was also emphasized.
The conference recommended formulating a national roadmap with measurable targets for strengthening women’s economic participation by 2030, introducing credit guarantees and growth finance facilities for women entrepreneurs, increasing participation of women-owned enterprises in government and corporate procurement, ensuring a safe and family-friendly work environment, increasing women’s representation on corporate boards and executive levels, developing technology and industry-based skills, strengthening gender-based data collection, and forming a ‘Bangladesh-Japan Women Entrepreneurs Accelerator’ with the participation of JBCCI, JICA, JETRO, financial institutions, and Japanese companies.
JBCCI also proposed establishing a ‘Japan-Bangladesh Women in Business Platform’ to build a verified network of women entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and board-ready professionals. This platform will provide opportunities for mentorship, business connections, corporate procurement, skill development, technology adoption, export readiness, and access to Japanese corporate networks.
The event paid tribute to the late Kazuko Bhuiyan Sensei on the 10th anniversary of her death in recognition of her lifelong contribution to strengthening Bangladesh-Japan friendship and cultural relations. In addition, mementos were presented to the guests, speakers, panelists and associate organizations.
In his closing remarks, JBCCI Vice President Hiroaki Oura reiterated the organization’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and further strengthening Bangladesh-Japan business cooperation. The conference called for creating more opportunities for women-owned businesses in the corporate supply chain, increasing access to finance, increasing women’s participation in top management and boards of directors, and taking practical and measurable initiatives to connect more women entrepreneurs to Japan and international markets.
