President of Association of Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs Bangladesh (AGWEB) Mousumi Islam has called upon Bangladesh Bank (BB) and ministry of finance (MoF) to ensure facilities earmarked for women entrepreneurs.

She said the central bank had issued directives to banks to provide single digit interest rate from small and medium enterprise fund to them. But it remains confined to paper. 

The MoF allotted Tk 800 million block allocation for women entrepreneurs but for all practical purposes it is also not available, she said. 

The AGWEB president said this during the inaugural ceremony of Trade Fair 2013 organised by the association at Women Volunteers Association Wednesday. 

To ensure economic empowerment of rural women, efforts are needed to implement these facilities, she said.

Ms Islam also called upon the ministry of commerce to give women entrepreneurs the opportunity to attend international trade fair by providing them free stalls.

Senior Research Fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Dr Nazneen Ahmed, Associate Professor of the Department of Development Studies of Dhaka University Dr Shuchita Sharmin, Director,

Programme, Policy and Campaign of Action Aid Mayeeda Choudhury, former UNDP Local Governance Advisor, Gender Expert Durafshan Haque Chowdhury and journalist Munima Sultana addressed the function.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul of the Philippine Embassy Mary Grace V Vallanayor was present, among others.

Some 26 organisations of women entrepreneurs from 15 districts are participating the fair with boutique products, food, jewellery, handicraft items etc.

AGWEB organised three trade fairs in rural areas since its inception three years ago. The Trade Fair 2013 was the first opportunity for grassroots women to showcase their products in the capital.