SME sector should encourage more entrepreneurs: speakers

Seminar speakers emphasized that the small and medium business (SME) sector should support more female entrepreneurs in addition to streamlining and improving trade license procedures and financing accessibility for women.

They highlighted this at a joint seminar yesterday afternoon on “Rights, Equality, Empowerment: A Discussion on Women’s Progress in Bangladesh” that was hosted at a capital hotel.

The seminar was organized in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI).

The main guest during the event was Takahashi Naoki, deputy head of mission at the Japanese embassy in Bangladesh.

According to a news statement issued today, Sayema Haque Bidisha, a professor in the Department of Economics at Dhaka University (DU), the university’s deputy chancellor, and Rubaba Dowla, the country managing director of Oracle Bangladesh, were invited as special guests.

The event was attended by JBCCI and JETRO members as well as notable visitors from other governmental and private sector organizations.

The show was moderated by JBCCI executive director Tahera Ahsan.

In his welcome speech, JBCCI President Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan (Jun) emphasized the role that women have played in Bangladesh’s economic growth.

Takahashi Naoki hailed Bangladesh’s outstanding accomplishments in women’s employment and empowerment and thanked JBCCI for hosting this significant session.

Japan holds that a nation’s progress depends heavily on the employment possibilities and empowerment of women. He added that Bangladesh and Japan are collaborating to improve the lives of the Rohingyas.

Additionally, Naoki acknowledged the critical role JBCCI plays in boosting Japanese investments in Bangladesh.

In her keynote address, Maria Howlader, secretary general of JBCCI, emphasized that worldwide gender parity rates align with SDG goal no. 5 and reiterated the need for action to achieve equality and parity for women.
As a guest speaker, Selima Ahmad, president of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI), also offered her opinions and briefed the audience on her challenges and experiences as a working woman.

According to Sayema Haque Bidisha, women make up around half of small and medium-sized business owners. According to her, there is a gender gap in the formal and informal sectors of employment.

She emphasized the importance of female employment quality rather than just quantity.

Rubaba Dowla further underlined how important it is for women to work in order to guarantee the economy’s long-term growth.

She emphasized the need to move more quickly and said that it is time to begin pushing boundaries that are both unseen and polarizing.

Tahera Ahsan moderated a panel discussion that was part of the event.
Among the panelists were Aminata BA, assistant manager at Mitsubishi Corporation in Dhaka; Uzma Chowdhury, CPA, director (Finance) at Pran-RFL Group; and Kazi Rubaiya Islam, corporate and media relations lead at JTI.
 
By sharing their own stories, they demonstrated the development and expanding influence of women across a range of industries.

The panelists noted that alongside their male counterparts, Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs are prospering and making important contributions.

They underlined the necessity of maternity leave and childcare, among other employment services that assist women in the job, as well as the need to alter gender-biased attitudes in the public, professional, and domestic domains.

Uzma Chowdhury emphasized Pran-RFL’s excellent industry practices for guaranteeing women’s safety, security, and maternity leave. She stated that childcare centers and maternity leave have guaranteed the commitment of female employees to the organization.

The vice president of JBCCI, Mr. Anwar Shahid, thanked everyone for coming to the session and praised all of the presenters for their insightful comments and inspiring success stories.

He reaffirmed JBCCI’s ongoing support and dedication to the cause and underlined how crucial women’s active employment involvement is to Bangladesh’s ongoing development and prosperity.