Entrepreneurs demand easy bank loans
Speakers at a conference in Dhaka yesterday demanded an easy access of grassroots entrepreneurs to bank loans so that they can flourish.
The demand was raised at the concluding session of the first national conference of the newly formed Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs Association.
Held at Shahid Tajul Auditorium at Purana Paltan in the city, the two-day conference also emphasised that the women entrepreneurs should come out of stereotype trades to cope with the present market trend.
The topic of the discussion was 'National Development is Impossible without the Economic Empowerment of Women.
A 30-member central committee of the new association was formed on Saturday with Swarnalata Roy, Kohinoor Parveen and Rabeya Morshed as its president, general secretary and finance and office secretary.
Nasrin Awal Mintoo, president of the Women Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh, has been chosen as the association's ombudswoman.
Nasrin presented the keynote paper at the conference recommending easy and long-term loan for the grassroots entrepreneurs.
She also stressed the need for setting up a sales centre in each district in different phases so that such entrepreneurs are ensured of proper price of their produces.
Geeteara Safiya Choudhury, a former adviser to the caretaker government who was present at the function as chief guest, said, “The government alone cannot take all responsibilities to empower women as entrepreneurs, families can play the crucial role in this respect.”
Urging the women entrepreneurs to come out of stereotype trade, she suggested that they should be aware of fashion trends for becoming a good entrepreneur.
Later, Geeteara gave away the prizes, crests and certificates among six successful grassroots entrepreneurs across the country and three others for their contribution as organisers.
The six awardees are Runa Begum from Sylhet, Sumia Jahan from Barisal, Mahmuda Begum from Khulna, Monwara Begum from Chittagong, Hasina Yasmin from Dhaka and Rehana Begum from Rajshahi.
Jesmin Ara Jely from Sylhet and Umme Haz Siddiqua from Rajshahi were awarded specially in the organiser category. Monoprabha Adhikary from Barisal was awarded the best organiser.
Eminent economist Dr Atiur Rahman said, “Women are not lagging behind today because they are marketing the items they produce with a zeal of entrepreneurship and earning money.”
“State policies must be women-friendly, which should be addressed by the top authorities and participation of women in this level is very much important,” he added.
President of Bangladesh Khudra O Kutir Shilpa Samiti Mirza Nurul Islam Shovon and Executive Director of Thengamara Mohila Sobuj Shangha Dr Hosne Ara Begum were present at the conference among others.
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