Give specific proposal, take Tk 100cr, Muhith tells women entrepreneurs
Dhaka, May 24 (UNB) – Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Thursday said the government would consider providing Tk 100 crore in the next budget as sought by women entrepreneurs if they can exactly say how and in which areas the fund will be spent on.
“I want to know the objectives of the fund. You (BWCCI President) come up with a specific proposal how the fund will be spent and what are the areas, as such funds in a number of other sectors had been misused in the past,” he told a pre-budget discussion at Cirdap Auditorium in the city.
Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) arranged the event in collaboration with The Asia Foundation with BWCCI president Selima Ahmad in the chair.
Country Representative of The Asia Foundation Hasan M Mazumdar, various stakeholders, including members of parliament, academicians, banks NGOs, women activists, general members and directors of BWCCI took part in the discussion. Asst Prof of Ahsanullah University Ruba Rumana presented a paper focusing on the existing barriers facing by the women entrepreneurs.
Earlier, Selima Ahmed put forward a number of demands, including allocation of Tk 100 crore for ‘Women Entrepreneurship Development Fund’, ensuring access to collateral-free and easy-term loan facilities, establishment of resource centers at district level, and introducing tax-free income limit at Tk 3 lakh for women.
Muhith listened to their proposals and said the government is very sincere about the development of women. “Now we’re in a stronger position in terms of women development. The government emphasises women development in the greater interest of the country’s economic development,” the Finance Minister said.
He said the participation of women in every sector has been on the rise since 1982. “Now it (participation of women) has turned into a revolution.”
On tax-free income ceiling, Muhith said it cannot be Tk 3 lakh any way. “But there might be a little change in the existing structure.”
He also said the proposal for keeping 15 percent of Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund (EEF) for women entrepreneurs is possible to implement.
Muhith said the government will consider developing ‘Women Entrepreneurship Development Policy’ as proposed by the BWCCI.
Speaking on the occasion, Selima Ahmad said the BWCCI has been demanding for separate fund allocation for women entrepreneurs for the last couple of years but there has been no significant reflection of it in the national budget so far.
“This year, we believe, the Finance Minister will deeply consider our proposals, which will contribute greatly to the country’s economic development.”
She urged the government to develop a separate ‘Women Entrepreneurship Development Policy’ to ensure greater contributions of women to the country’s overall economy.
Selima also demanded quota in government-built markets as well as economic zones and industrial parks for women entrepreneurs.
About the demand of Tk 100 crore special fund, she said it would help develop a pro-women business environment.
Hasan M Mazumdar said creating a women-friendly business environment is absolutely crucial as the government wants to attain the 7 percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth, achieve the MDG goals and eradicate poverty from the country.
He also pointed out that developing women entrepreneurial policy is essential to encourage women to do business.
“This policy should include issues such as business strategy, finance, sales, marketing, human resource management, customer services-related to successful entrepreneurship.”
“I want to know the objectives of the fund. You (BWCCI President) come up with a specific proposal how the fund will be spent and what are the areas, as such funds in a number of other sectors had been misused in the past,” he told a pre-budget discussion at Cirdap Auditorium in the city.
Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) arranged the event in collaboration with The Asia Foundation with BWCCI president Selima Ahmad in the chair.
Country Representative of The Asia Foundation Hasan M Mazumdar, various stakeholders, including members of parliament, academicians, banks NGOs, women activists, general members and directors of BWCCI took part in the discussion. Asst Prof of Ahsanullah University Ruba Rumana presented a paper focusing on the existing barriers facing by the women entrepreneurs.
Earlier, Selima Ahmed put forward a number of demands, including allocation of Tk 100 crore for ‘Women Entrepreneurship Development Fund’, ensuring access to collateral-free and easy-term loan facilities, establishment of resource centers at district level, and introducing tax-free income limit at Tk 3 lakh for women.
Muhith listened to their proposals and said the government is very sincere about the development of women. “Now we’re in a stronger position in terms of women development. The government emphasises women development in the greater interest of the country’s economic development,” the Finance Minister said.
He said the participation of women in every sector has been on the rise since 1982. “Now it (participation of women) has turned into a revolution.”
On tax-free income ceiling, Muhith said it cannot be Tk 3 lakh any way. “But there might be a little change in the existing structure.”
He also said the proposal for keeping 15 percent of Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund (EEF) for women entrepreneurs is possible to implement.
Muhith said the government will consider developing ‘Women Entrepreneurship Development Policy’ as proposed by the BWCCI.
Speaking on the occasion, Selima Ahmad said the BWCCI has been demanding for separate fund allocation for women entrepreneurs for the last couple of years but there has been no significant reflection of it in the national budget so far.
“This year, we believe, the Finance Minister will deeply consider our proposals, which will contribute greatly to the country’s economic development.”
She urged the government to develop a separate ‘Women Entrepreneurship Development Policy’ to ensure greater contributions of women to the country’s overall economy.
Selima also demanded quota in government-built markets as well as economic zones and industrial parks for women entrepreneurs.
About the demand of Tk 100 crore special fund, she said it would help develop a pro-women business environment.
Hasan M Mazumdar said creating a women-friendly business environment is absolutely crucial as the government wants to attain the 7 percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth, achieve the MDG goals and eradicate poverty from the country.
He also pointed out that developing women entrepreneurial policy is essential to encourage women to do business.
“This policy should include issues such as business strategy, finance, sales, marketing, human resource management, customer services-related to successful entrepreneurship.”
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