The women entrepreneurs of the country would be allocated more than 30 per cent plots in industrial and economic zones on a priority basis, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu said Saturday.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at an award giving ceremony titled 'BWCCI Progressive Award 2013' in the city.
Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) in cooperation with the Green Delta Insurance Company Limited and the IFAD Group organised the ceremony to honour women entrepreneurs of the country.
The industries minister said women already established their position as entrepreneurs in the country though significant gaps still remained in the areas of women's empowerment.
He said industries ministry would provide all kinds of support towards women entrepreneurs who want to establish industries and diversified businesses.
Speaking on the occasion, BWCCI founder Selima Ahmad said: "The government should give more structural and strategic supports to the women entrepreneurs to help them graduate from micro to the SME level."
She said the government also needed to consider sanctioning loan at single-digit interest with six months' grace period for women entrepreneurs.
In her presidential address, BWCCI President Sangita Ahmed said: "A half of the population of the country is women who are contributing significantly to the whole development; but they are the main victims of violence and discriminations in the society."
She said: "Despite all hurdles the number of women entrepreneurs in the country is increasing but they are failing to move forward due mainly to proper financial and policy support."
This year seven women entrepreneurs from seven divisions who are also BWCCI members were awarded for their significant achievement in business.
They are: Aysha Akter from Barisal division, Shamim Ara Lipy from Chittagong division, Farjana Fatema Borna from Dhaka division, Tanjima Jesmin from Khulna division, Chandona Ghosh from Rangpur division, Moreom Begum from Rajshahi division and Farida Alam from Sylhet division.
Two media representatives also received awards this year for their contributions towards development of women entrepreneurship in the country.
They are: Imtiaz Shahriar Emon, senior reporter from Boishakhi Television (electronic media category) and Shamsul Hoque Mohammad Miraj from the daily Samakal (print media category).
Industries minister handed over awards to the winners which included a trophy, a certificate and prize money of Tk 15,000 for each of them.
Green Delta Insurance Company Limited Managing Director and CEO Farzana Chowdhury and IFAD Group Director Tashfeen Ahmed attended the programme as the guests of honour.
