The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a daylong workshop yesterday identified limited access of women to market and finance as key barriers to development of women entrepreneurs in the country.

They also emphasised on capacity building of women entrepreneurs and producing quality goods to be competitive in the market.

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) organised the workshop titled 'International Trade Strategy and Export Readiness' in cooperation with the European Union at Nitol Centre of Mohakhali.

President of BWCCI Selima Ahmad and the delegates of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jonathon Webber, Rupinder Nandra and Christine Everall conducted the workshop.

Selima Ahmad said one of the major barriers to women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh is limited access to market, a problem that is exacerbated in an international context. "We are trying to overcome this problem through sensitising women entrepreneurs," she added.

Jonathon Webber told the workshop that EU is trying capacity building of two Asian intermediary organisations by building their competence.

He said the high barriers to finance for women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh leaves no room for error in market expansion and the high risks associated with global growth means that a majority of women who operate micro, small and medium-sized enterprises will not get access in the international markets without assistance in this area.

"This is a significant problem that could lead to the stagnation of women's private sector development in Bangladesh and possibly a delay in the growth of the Bangladesh economy," according to Jonathon.

In the workshop, the facilitators concentrated on export readiness, SME diagnostic action plan, intermediary support and follow-up, market identification, routes to market, services to members and business community.