Women entrepreneurs urged to work together for better economy

Chittagong, Nov 10: Commerce Minister Faruk Khan Thursday urged women entrepreneurs and businessmen here in the port city to work together for ensuring better contribution to economy and making country's economic condition stronger, reports UNB. "Women have learned how to perform their duties. Women were always successful when they were given responsibility. Now we, both women and men, need to work together," he said while inaugurating a month-long International Women's SME Expo Bangladesh-2011 at the Railway Polo Ground in the city. FBCCI president AK Azad, local lawmakers MA Latif, Shamsul Haque Chowdhury and Mahjabin Morshed, SME Foundation managing director Rezawanul Kabir and Fair committee chairperson Gulshana Ali also spoke at the function, chaired by CWCCI founding president Monwara Hakim Ali. Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCCI) hosted the trade fair in cooperation with Export Promotion Bureau, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and SME Foundation. The fifth version of the fair is aimed at displaying local and foreign women entrepreneurs' products, which the organisers think, will help create the market for the products of women entrepreneurs in the SME sector. Speaking as chief guest, Faruk Khan said the government has taken a number of projects for the development of Chittagong, which are being implemented at full pace. "Development of the country will be ensured through the development of Chittagong. We need to work together," he said. Khan thanked the businesspeople for "ensuring a stable market" during the Eid-ul-Azha. "Prices of essentials including spices were stable. Even prices of some of the essentials showed a declining trend." He said: "You did business honestly. We want your similar role in the coming days." FBCCI president AK Azad said the women entrepreneurs need a permanent place to display their products. He urged the Commerce Minister to take the initiative so that women entrepreneurs can take part in international fairs free of cost. MA Latif said country's women have progressed a lot. "They've already surpassed men in education. One day they will surpass us in business too." He said it is the duty of men to help the women to go ahead. Monwara Hakim Ali urged the minister to take steps for a specialised economic zone in Chittagong for women entrepreneurs. About 400 stalls have been installed in the fair venue with 20 nicely-decorated pavilions. Besides food courts, a park - Lapland Fantasy Park - has been set up at the fair venue to provide entertainment to the visiting kids.