Experts suggest policy reforms to engage women entrepreneurs
Policy interventions are needed to engage more women entrepreneurs into public procurement, experts said on Sunday.
Reserving quota for women entrepreneurs and easing of the complex and lengthy documentation process of public procurement would encourage more female to get involved in government purchase, they added.
“The contribution of women entrepreneurs in the economy could be increased if proper facilities are provided to them,” said Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD).
She spoke at a dialogue on “Engaging women entrepreneurs in public procurement” at the conference room of the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU).
The BUILD in collaboration with International Trade Centre organised the event with the support of the planning ministry and the CPTU.
The potential of women entrepreneurs remains unexplored always due to lack of their access to finance, marketing and information, Begum said.
Market access and competitiveness of women entrepreneurs can be improved by engaging them more in public procurement, she added.
“The business environment is more favourable now for women than any time,” said Nurul Amin, secretary to the planning division.
He also shed light on the women help desks that the government has built in every district.
Involvement of women in public procurement can bring good results as they tend to be less corrupt than men, he said.
Some necessary steps could not be taken properly due to policy restrictions, said Ali Noor, director general of the CPTU.
He argued that women entrepreneurs can take part both in the quotation and limited tender methods, but they need to know the issues elaborately.
Tanvir Ahmed, country coordinator at Bangladesh International Trade Centre, also spoke.
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