A graduation ceremony and a buyer-supplier meeting were held in the capital on Sunday with the aim to facilitate scaling up of women-owned businesses and help them become successful suppliers.
More than 30 women-owned businesses participated in the event held as part of a technical advisory project, titled "Corporate Connect: Strengthening Market Access for Women-Owned Businesses".
International Finance Corporation Group (IFC) and the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh are implementing the project in partnership with WEConnect International, a non-profit organisation, said a press release.
It said, this is the second cohort of business owners graduating from the programme, joining 20 others who completed their training in March.
IFC Private Sector Specialist Hosna Ferdous Sumi was present at the programme and spoke. Representatives from different corporate houses also took part in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the corporate representatives explained their procurement process and business opportunities.
They then listened to elevator pitches from the women business owners, who work in information technology (IT) services, jute goods, leather items, fashion retail, manufacturing and other sectors.
Addressing the event, Hosna Ferdous said: "This unique programme connects women business owners in Bangladesh to procurement connections they might not otherwise make."
"(The project) prompts them to think about the many opportunities to be had in the business-to-business arena," the IFC private sector specialist said.
Funded by the UK Department for International Development, the project is focused on export diversification and gender-related activities.
The project builds better connections between women-owned businesses and corporate buyers, provides capacity building training, and helps to promote the business case for sourcing from women in Bangladesh.
The project is implemented by WEConnect International and is supported by local consultants - LightCastle Partners and A4 Consultants.
The Corporate Connect was launched in January 2018. Since then, over 50 women business owners have benefited from tailored supplier development training, and up to 100 business owners will complete online training in the months to come.
Several corporations, including Multimode Group, DBL Group, PRAN-RFL Group, Richmond Hotels & Suites, Gemcon Group, BRAC Bank, Berger Paints Ltd., Coca-Cola Bangladesh, and Knit Asia Ltd. Group have signed pledge letters with IFC and WEConnect International, signaling their intent to source more from women-owned businesses.
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