Outstanding woman in business: Mosammat Shirajum Munira

Mosammat Shirajum Munira is the founder and CEO of Sutar Kabbo, an enterprise that produces eco-friendly jute handicrafts, and has contributed in helping financially disadvantaged women living in rural areas.

She has empowered many rural women at Parbatipur in Dinajpur district, by providing them with training and employment in jute crafting.

Her products include bags, mats, baskets, and satranji, which are sold both at local and international markets.

Munira was born at Thakurgaon in 1980 and completed her higher secondary certificate exam from Begum Badrunnesa College and bachelor's and master's degree in linguistics from Dhaka University. 

She worked as a researcher at ICDDR,B and currently works for Lutheran Aid to Medicine in Bangladesh Hospital in Parbatipur as a research investigator.

She formed Sutar Kabbo in 2017 with a capital of Tk 10,000 and chose jute as a sustainable and environment-friendly material to create diverse products.

Munira faced many challenges in recruiting women for Sutar Kabbo, as they faced resistance from their families and communities.

She convinced them of the benefits of working outside their homes and provided them with facilities such as bathrooms, kitchen, childcare, and prayer rooms.

She said she wanted to give women the opportunity to use their talents and achieve success.

Despite facing personal and professional challenges due to Covid-19 and her daughter's blood cancer, she has maintained a sustainable operation of Sutar Kabbo.

The enterprise had a turnover of Tk 1.85 crore in 2022, with a profit margin of 12 percent, and a growth rate of 20 percent.

It has two factory units, a training centre, a showroom, and a network of 700 rural artisans.

Sutar Kabbo is a member of several prominent organisations like the SME Foundation.
Munira's enterprise has participated in various fairs at home and abroad and has also received the Best Jute Product Stall Award at the ninth SME Fair.