Complete, structured support for micro level women entrepreneurs stressed

Micro level women entrepreneurs should get comprehensive and structured support to flourish as successful entrepreneurs.
Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) President Selima Ahmad made the observation while delivering her presidential address at a seminar in the city on Sunday, said a press release.
The BWCCI organised the national seminar in cooperation with the Asian development Bank (ADB) under the project "Enabling Poor Women's Participation in the Renewable Energy Sector in Bangladesh".
State Minister for Finance MA Mannan, MP, was present at the seminar as the chief guest while Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Tariq-Ul-Islam was the guest of honour.
President of BWCCI Selima Ahmad presided over the seminar.
Various stakeholders including representatives from ADB, member of parliament, representative of Bangladesh Power Development Board, different national and international NGOs, women activists, representatives from electronic and print media, general members and directors of BWCCI along with women participants from Hatiya were also present at the event.
The BWCCI president said if Bangladesh wants to become a mid income country, micro level women entrepreneurs must get comprehensive and structured support to flourish as successful entrepreneurs.
With this end in view, the BWCCI worked towards building the capacity of 400 rural women by giving them training on improved cook stove making and installation as well as different alternative livelihood training.
As a result of this venture, 10 per cent women from the project participants are now involved in different kinds of entrepreneurial activities which has moved them one step ahead towards economic empowerment.
The BWCCI added that if more awareness raising and capacity building trainings could be given, these micro level women would one day become capable of controlling their own income, taking decisions for the betterment of their own and family lives and contribute significantly in the country's economy.
Speaking as the chief guest, the state minister said that the BWCCI has facilitated poor rural women of Hatiya to enable their participation in renewable energy sector in Bangladesh and get involved in different income generating activities which as a whole contributed to the social and economic development of the country.
He said that it is necessary to encourage and train women to start enterprises in new diversified sectors rather than old traditional ones.
Through this project the BWCCI has done something which not only capacitated women entrepreneurs to start business in renewable energy sector but also will contribute in keeping the health of the women herself and her family also.
In his address, Mr Tariq-Ul-Islam said that it is impossible to achieve sustainable development and progress as a democratic nation without the active participation of women in mainstream economic activities.
He said that the project that BWCCI implemented to development the capacity of rural women of Hatiya in renewable energy sector is indeed praiseworthy.
He added that not only in Hatiya Island, but also the BWCCI is playing a key role in developing women entrepreneurs in all over Bangladesh.
He also gave reassurance to support women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh and all activities of BWCCI in this connection.