Tofail for providing ICT training to women entrepreneurs

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed Wednesday called upon the women chamber leaders to provide training to women entrepreneurs on information and communication technology (ICT) which has been given the topmost priority by the government in its target to earn US$ 70 billion from export sector by 2021.
He also said a new horizon of opportunity has been opened for Bangladesh through the visit of the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi which Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs should also utilise.
"You have provided training to 47,000 women entrepreneurs but I tell you to provide training on ICT. We have given topmost priority on IT sector in our target to achieve $70 billion from export by 2021 to mark the golden jubilee of our independence," said the minister.
Mr Tofail made the call while addressing as the chief guest at a function of the 'BWCCI-Grameenphone Progressive Award 2014' at Krishibid Institution in the city.
Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) and Grameenphone (GP) jointly organised the ceremony to honour women entrepreneurs and media personnel for their outstanding contribution in the development of women entrepreneurs.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Abdul Matlub Ahmad was present as the special guest while GP chief corporate affairs officer Mahmood Hossain as guest of honor. BWCCI president Selima Ahmad chaired the programme.
Tofail Ahmed said the government has set a target of earning US$ 50 billion from RMG sector out of the total $70 billion from export by 2021 which is to be included in the export-import policy on the occasion of celebrating 50 years of independence.
The government has given top most priority on IT in achieving the export target while the country is expected to earn $1.0 billion from IT sector by 2018.
The minister added: at present 81 per cent of the export earnings come from RMG sector which the government has plan to diversify.
"The government has put emphasis on other sectors like leather, ICT, furniture, ship building, pharmaceutical industry and jute products to diversify export basket and expand international market," he said.
Bangladeshi women have been progressing in trade and commerce due to various women-friendly initiative by the present government aimed for woman empowerment, he added.
"Bangladeshi women will not only progress in trade and commerce but in other sectors too in near future," said Mr Tofail, adding: digital Bangladesh visioned by the prime minister is now a reality and women should be educated in ICT as Bangladesh has already earned international reputation in ICT sector.
Referring to the BWCCI training initiative, he said training on ICT would benefit the country.
He announced that his ministry would take necessary steps to provide 50 per cent discount in stalls and pavilions to women entrepreneurs at Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF).
Mr Matlub Ahmad said women have made significant progress in a short period of time. Moreover women have done better compared to men in many sectors, he added.   
He called upon the women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the new horizon of opportunities offered by ICT sector by learning how to earn by freelancing.
Selima Ahmad said half of the country's population is women who are contributing significantly to the whole development; but they are the victims of violence and discrimination in society.
Despite hurdles, number of women entrepreneurs is increasing but they are failing to move forward due to lack of proper financial and policy support, she added.
She demanded to arrange ICT trainings for 5000 women per year which will help women to be more successful in their businesses.
In the programme seven women entrepreneurs from seven divisions were awarded for their significant achievement in business and two journalists from print and electronic media were awarded for their contribution in women entrepreneurship development in the country.
Seven award recipient who are also BWCCI members are: Maksuda  Khatun from Barisal, Nurun Nahar from Chittagong, Shahida Parvin from Dhaka,  Kaniz Sultana from Khulna, Asma-Ul-Husna from Rangpur, Hosna Begum from Rajshahi and Reshma Sharmin Juthi from Sylhet.
Two media representatives are - Kamrun Nahar, staff reporter from the Financial Express in print media category and Sima Bhowmik, Staff Reporter from Jamuna Television in electronic media category. Tofail Ahmed handed over the award winners a trophy, certificate and prize money of Tk 25,000.
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