Tk 150cr budgetary allocation sought for women-friendly economic activities

Women entrepreneurs yesterday proposed allocating Tk 150 crore in the upcoming budget for the development of women-friendly economic activities.

They also demanded access to loans without collateral, easing loan processing and lessening interest for women entrepreneurs.

The demands came at a press conference titled “Proposal for national budget 2019-20” organised by the Women Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (Weab) at Pragati Insurance Bhaban in the capital’s Karwan Bazar.

The association said they would place their demands before the finance ministry officials and leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Their other demands include 30 percent allocation of land in every government project for women entrepreneurs, 25 percent allocation of land in economic zones and a special economic zone for women.

Incomes of up to Tk 4 lakh instead of Tk 3 lakh should be exempted from tax for women while corporate tax should reduce to 25 percent from 35 percent for women-owned companies, said Nasreen Fatema Awal, founder of Weab.

It is necessary to provide training on technology, vocational education, productive materials and access to market and finance to women who want to start their own business, she added.

The association also demanded 10 percent incentive cash for women-owned businesses, raising the number of women entrepreneurs attending international fairs, 10 percent stall quota in fairs and one-stop solution in the commerce ministry for women entrepreneurs.

Shahruk Rahman, president of the association, and Asfa Hossain, first vice president, also spoke.