To promote country’s women entrepreneurship, the central bank advised all scheduled banks to disburse at least 10 per cent SME credit out of their total loan portfolio, according to Nazneen Sultana, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB).

Sultana on Saturday was addressing a seminar organized by Bangladesh Institute Bank Management.
BIBM faculties presented two research papers on “Information System Security in Banks” and “Role of Women Entrepreneurship Develop-ment in Bangladesh” when Sultana made this observation.

She said, “Banks assistance can offer a feasible solution to generate skilled women entrepreneurs for the betterment of the country.”
Addressing as chief guest she said banks have to take more steps to enhance the number of skilled women entrepreneurs in the country.
The deputy governor has underscored the need for more proactive roles so that women entrepreneurs flourish with their projects.

Fahmida Chowdhury, associate Prof. of BIBM presented a key note paper on “Role of Banks in Women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh”. She observed that interest rate of SME loan was still high and entitlement to it was complicated.

Chowdhury said women in Bangladesh are employed in low income jobs and that most of the entrepreneurs are involved in farm business, forestry, fishery, boutique and beauty parlor business. Therefore, she said, business diversification is essential
and adequate and easy financial facilities can encourage them to diversify their traditional business.

However, Fahmida made some specific recommendations for banks to take the opportunity to work with women who have no previous experiences but want to start a new business.

Considering the growing demand for skilled entrepreneurs, banks can take initiative to provide training to the existing bosses.
She said, “Banks can also provide marketing financial facilities, product development information and define sources of fund at free of cost.

The seminar was also addressed by Prof. Dr. Prashanta Kumar Banerjee, director of BIBM, Dr. Toufic Ahmed Chowdhury, director general of BIBM, Md. Shihab Uddin Khan, associate Prof. of BIBM, A.H.M. Kai Khasru, executive director of the central bank, Zaitun Sayef, deputy managing director of IFIC Bank Ltd. and Mohammad Tazul Islam, Md. Masudul Haque, Md. Mahbubur Rahman Alam, Kaniz Rabbi, assistant professor of BIBM.

News: The Daily Independent/Bangladesh/25-Nov-12