Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury Tuesday underlined the need for training programme for women entrepreneurs so that they can develop and diversify their products.
She made the emphasis at an award giving ceremony on 'Grassroots Women Entrepreneur Award -2013' and Launching and Disbursement of IFIC Bank's Financial Product for Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs.
The Speaker said to compete with the current trend the grassroots entrepreneurs have to go for product diversification such as design and pattern of their goods. "For this training is necessary for them," she added.
She also emphasised on keeping the balance of demand and supply of products to develop good women entrepreneurship in the country.
The programme was jointly organised by Association of Grassroots Women entrepreneurs Bangladesh (AGWEB) and IFIC in the city's Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.
Dr Chaudhury handed over awards to three small entrepreneurs at the programme. The awards has been given to Mokseda Begum as champion, owner of Ononna Hostoshilpo in Thakurgaon, Kohinoor Akhtar as 1st runner up, owner of Kohinoor Hostoshilpo in Jessore and Shahanaz Begum Rosy as 2nd runner up, owner of Glamour Fashion House and Rose Beauty Parlour in Dinajpur.
Following outstanding performances of innovation, employment generation, inspiration, mentorship and impact of their works, the entrepreneurs have been given the awards by the AGWEB.
Besides, IFIC Bank launched mobile banking system formally for the grassroots women titled 'Pranto Nari' and also disbursed loan among 10 woman entrepreneurs at the programme.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said women are sincere for paying loan and also utilising it properly.
He said till June 2014 from 2010 Bangladesh Bank disbursed loan among 2.1 million Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs.
The target of SME loan has been fixed at Tk 885.37 billion for the fiscal year 2014-15. Besides, Bangladesh Bank has built a refinance fund at Tk 1.0 billion for new entrepreneurs.
The awardee entrepreneurs said with training programme, a large number of women can be involved in income generating work. But now they cannot do it properly following conservative culture at the village areas.
They also demanded loan at 5.0 per cent rate of interest from the existing 10 per cent to the women enterprenures.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) chairman Shyam Sundar Sikdar, AGWEB president Mousumi Islam, IFIC Bank managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shah A Sarwar, among others were present at the programme.
