The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Adviser for Finance Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday stressed the need for increasing involvement of women in mainstream economic activities as part of empowering them in society.

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday afternoon, the finance adviser further said their involvement is essential in bringing dynamism to turn the country into a middle income one by next 14/15 years.

The Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) jointly organised the event with the Centre for International Private Enterprises (CIPE) on the theme 'Bringing women entrepreneurs in policy focus for SME development.'

Senior Research Fellow of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Dr Rita Afsar presented the keynote. President of the BWCCI Selima Ahmed moderated the event. Chairman of the Samonnay Dr Atiur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Women Association Ayesha Khanom, Vice-President of the BWCCI Salina Qader and leading woman entrepreneur Foyzia Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.

Referring to the main issue, the finance adviser said the government is serious to promote women to the country's mainstream development and achieve this goal it has already formulated the women development policy 2008 to foster their involvement at all levels.

The policy has also recommended reserving at least one- thirds of the parliamentary seats to women and enhanced their share on national resources to achieve the gander parity in the society.

He asked the country's bankers to give collateral free loans to women as they are more credit worthy that their repayment record relating to utilisation of micro-finance suggest, he said.

The government is also looking for creating opportunity to place at least one woman on the board of directors of the state owned banks and financial institutions, he said adding that the efforts are also on to reduce the lending rates to business.

Earlier, Selima Ahmed laid emphasis on arranging need-based training to women to build their entrepreneurial capacities and increase their skills to create more value addition and design diversification. They also require increasing exposure to the global market, she said.

She also demanded inclusion of a woman representative on the better business forum as there is no such women sitting on the board.