Online Desk:
Women entrepreneurs have called for obtaining loans on low interest and easy terms to create and sustain women entrepreneurs in the country. They also want the government’s cooperation in increasing the capacity of women entrepreneurs and creating skills.
Women entrepreneurs made this call while participating in an exchange of views organized on Monday (January 12, 2026) morning to increase the capacity and skill development of women’s chambers and associations. The exchange of views was organized by The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). Women entrepreneurs and representatives of women’s chambers from different districts of the country, government officials, and representatives of entrepreneurs and related organizations participated in the meeting.
Participating in the meeting, women entrepreneurs said that although loans are supposed to be provided to women on easy terms, in reality they are not available. Although the central bank has given the necessary instructions for this, the managers of commercial banks at the district and upazila levels create various obstacles in this regard by creating unnecessary paperwork. In such a situation, women entrepreneurs want to make it easier to get bank loans.
The meeting was chaired by FBCCI Administrator Md. Abdur Rahim Khan. He said that the recommendations received to address the challenges of women entrepreneurs at the field level will be presented to the government. He said that the government has taken steps to establish women’s chambers in all districts of the country. This will increase women’s economic activities. The government’s economic growth will also increase.
FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir said that 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 in the country have come a long way since independence.
Nasreen Fatema Awal, President of the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (WEB), said that there are several policies for the development of women in the country. 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 (BID), said that 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 and circulars. 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 speech at the meeting. In the speech, she highlighted the various challenges and things to be done for women entrepreneurs. She highlighted the need to eliminate gender inequality in business, get easy access to finance, and increase engagement with skilled and experienced entrepreneurs nationally and internationally.
Sultana Yasmin, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, mentioned the various steps taken by the government, including organizing various training and workshops for women entrepreneurs. She said that the recommendations related to women entrepreneurs will be presented to the appropriate authorities of the ministry.
Additional Director of Bangladesh Bank Afrina Nasrin, Gender Team Leader of UNDP Bangladesh Sharmin Islam, Deputy Managing Director of SME Foundation Farzana Khan, etc. also spoke at the exchange of views.
Participating in the open discussion, women entrepreneurs demanded an English version of trade licenses, special price discounts for women entrepreneurs in fairs organized by the Export Promotion Bureau, and national and international training for entrepreneurs.
