The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

Speakers at a colloquium emphasized the need for economic empowerment of the women for pacing up the country's industrialization process.

Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCC&I) hosted the colloquium titled "Activities of the Women Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh and Netherlands, the Mutual Interests."

Participants said that women would be playing greater roles in freeing the country from the curse of poverty if adequate training and minimum access to capital are ensured for them.

President of the CWCC&I Monowara Hakim Ali moderated the colloquium while Dutch envoy to Dhaka Bea Ten Tusscher joined it as the chief guest.

Senior Vice-President of the CWCC&I Khaleda A Awal, Deputy General Manager of SME Foundation Ahmed Ali Shaha, Directors of the CWCC&I Shahina Zia, Selina Ahmed Sultana Nurjahan, Zebun Nahar, Jesmin Akter and Economic and Commerce Advisor to the Dutch Embassy in Dhaka Mannujan Khanom among others spoke at the colloquium.

Highlighting the ongoing activities and future planning of the CWCC&I Monowara Hakim Ali sought cooperation including technical and financial support from the Dutch government.

She told the Dutch envoy that moves had been under process for a bank and an exclusive industrial park at Sitakund dedicated for the women opening wider avenues for the qualified women professionals.

The Dutch envoy pledged all possible support to the CWCC&I from her government and encouraged the woman leaders to go ahead with courage.

Later, Bea Ten Tusscher handed over certificates to the trainees of recently concluded training course under 'Entrepreneurs Development Training Project'.