The New Nation - Internet Edition

The role of SME Women Entrepreneur's to the economic development was highlighted at the closing ceremony of the International Women's Day (IWD) - 2008 observed jointly by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) & BRAC Bank Limited (BBL) on March 2. Khandaker Shahidul Islam, Vice-President, DCCI awarded certificates to the women entrepreneurs In his speech he said that women are the 50% of the total population and their role cannot be neglected in the economic development of the country. He said DCCI has enough respect on the observation of IWD and that's why DCCI organised the training workshop on "Managerial Skills Development for ,Women Entrepreneurs" In commemoration of IWD - 2008.

While explaining the role of BBL for SME women entrepreneurs development, he said, the bank can consider extending loans to an entrepreneur at the same time when an individual entrepreneur is having loans of similar types from other banks.

Farzana Chowdhury, Head of SME, BBL informed about their willingness to develop more and more new SME entrepreneurs.

She said, giving loan to entrepreneurship development is not the only objectives of the Bank, they are also willing to organise need-based training instead of general training. Ms. Safina Rahman, Director and Coordinating Director of Women Entrepreneurship Development (WED) Development & Product Diversification (PD) Standing Committee. DCCI Omar Faruque, Convenor, and Luna Shamsuddoha, Co-convenor, WED & PD SIC, 2008, also spoke on the occasion.

A small question - answer session was held where women entrepreneurs raised several points in regard to getting finance & marketing their products & requirement of other necessary consultancy & advisory services from bank and trade supporting organising like DCCI.

Ferdaus Ara Begum, Addl. Secretary (R&P), DCCI moderated the session & requested women entrepreneurs to raise their problems so that DCCI & BRAC Bank Ltd. can jointly design programmes which is required by them.