Industries Minister Dilip Barua speaks at launch of a project of the Bangladesh Women Chambers of Commerce and Industries (BWCCI) at CIRDAP auditorium in the city yesterday.

Industries Minister Dilip Barua Wednesday said that the banks are not complying with the provision to give collateral-free loan up to Tk 2.5 million for women entrepreneurs of SME (small and medium enterprise) sector.

“The women are not getting collateral-free SME loan due to the banks’ negligence, misperception and unreasonable fears of recovery failure despite the fact the women are not defaulters,” Dilip Barua, also the SME Foundation chairman, said.

He was addressing a project launching ceremony of Bangladesh Women Chambers of Commerce and Industries (BWCCI) at the city’s CIRDAP auditorium.

BWCCI President Selima Ahmad, Senior Vice Presidents Munmun Rahman, Sangita Islam and Member of Parliament Narayan Chandra Chanda, among others, were also present at the function.

The project styled “Proactive engagement of Members of Parliament to enhance women entrepreneurship development through policy/legislative support” is to create a platform for women entrepreneurs to discuss with public representatives about the issues such as easy access to credit and marketing.

Dilip Barua praised the large number of women entrepreneurs of the country as they have been playing a big role towards achieving sustainable economic growth.

He said access to credit facility is important to promote women entrepreneurs.

The minister also laid emphasis on women’s participation in decision making process both at home and outside for their empowerment.

He, however, assessed that the women are enjoying freedom than they did decades before. “The women have become now relatively solvent and dynamic.”

The government will try to make it sure that the SMEs , particularly the women entrepreneurs, have easy access to loan by citing it in the industrial policy, the minister said.

Dilip Barua said the per capita income of the country’s people would exceed US$1000 in next one year given the current growth of its economy.

Dilip Barua informed that Industries Ministry and SME foundation will hold a women entrepreneurs’ conference in next June in Dhaka and the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to attend it as chief guest.

The four-year project till 2015 will be implemented initially in Dakop, Botiaghata in Khulna-1, Khulna Sadar of Khulna-2 and Dumuria, Fultala of Khulna-5 constituencies.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 19th April 2012