14.10.20 Kickoff workshop-2

Kick Off Meeting(Virtual) Between BWCCI and CIPE: 2 September 2020

BWCCI and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) jointly organized a Kick Off Meeting virtually through Zoom Apps for the two new projects on (1) Promoting Democratic Participation of Women in Access to Credit (PDPAC) and (2) Promoting Democratic Participation in the Digital Economy (PDPDE) in Bangladesh on September 02, 2020 at 7:00 PM Bangladesh time. The honorable President- BWCCI, Ms. Selima Ahmad, MP, Ms. Ridma Khan, Board Director-BWCCI and the entire project team members joined the meeting. Mr. Adam Sachs, Ms. Morgan Frost, Ms.Louisa Tomar and Ms.Erinn Benedict were present from CIPE, Washington, DC.  The objective of the meeting was to discuss the project activities, the implementation plan of the projects and roles and responsibilities of both Grantee and Grantor. The meeting was concluded at around 8:00 PM

Zoom meeting-2-06.10.20

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with women entrepreneurs of Sylhet division

BWCCI is executing a project entitled “Promoting Democratic Participation of women in access to credit (PDPAC)” in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)-USA. The main objective of the project is to sensitize bank officials and increase the capacity of women entrepreneurs for easy access to bank loans for inclusive and sustainable economic growth of the country. To know the factual information and accumulate specific recommendations on easy access to finance, BWCCI organized a virtual Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on 06 October 2020 with 08 women entrepreneurs from Sylhet division and 02 Bank Officials from Eastern Bank Limited and Janata Bank. Ms. Selima Ahmad,MP, President of BWCCI moderated the FGD. The entire project team was present. 

14.10.20 Kickoff workshop-2

Digital economy is a prerequisite to make Digital Bangladesh”-Planning Minister said in the virtual workshop organized by BWCCI

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) organized the “Kickoff Workshop” on “Promoting Democratic Participation in the Digital Economy (PDPDE) Project funded by Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) virtually on October 14, 2020 from 11.00 a.m to 1.30 p.m.  The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Selima Ahmad MP- President-BWCCI. Mr. M A Mannan MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest who joined over phone from the hospital despite his physical sickness and provided his valuable speech to the audiences. Among other distinguished participants, the program was successfully held with the virtual presence of Dr. Khandokar Azizul Islam, Additional Secretary, ICT Division, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ms. Lila Rashid, Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank, Mr. Kamal Quadir, CEO, Bkash, Dr. Nazneen Ahmed, Sr. Research Fellow, BIDS, Representatives from Eastern Bank Limited, First Security Islami Bank Limited, Trust Bank Limited, Ms. Ferdousi Sultana Begum, Consultant, PDPDE Project, Board of Directors and members of BWCCI. Total 42 participants were present virtually including the project team. 

04.11.2020-2

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with women entrepreneurs of Dhaka division

BWCCI is executing a project entitled  “Promoting Democratic Participation in the Digital Economy (PDPDE)” funded by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)-USA. The main objective of the project is To identify the prevailing challenges and concerns, raising awareness of women entrepreneurs on digital economy and policy advocacy for overcoming the challenges. To know the factual information and accumulate specific recommendations on the challenges and concerns of women entrepreneurs on digital economy, BWCCI organized a virtual Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on 04 November 2020 with 10 women entrepreneurs from Dhaka division. Ms. Selima Ahmad,MP, President of BWCCI, Ms. Ferdousi Sultana Begum, Consultant of the project and Ms. Ridma Khan, Board of Director, BWCCI moderated the FGD. The entire project team was present. 

11.11.2020-1

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with women entrepreneurs and Bankers of Barishal Division

BWCCI is executing a project entitled “Promoting Democratic Participation of women in access to credit (PDPAC)” in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)-USA. The main objective of the project is to sensitize bank officials and increase the capacity of women entrepreneurs for easy access to bank loans for inclusive and sustainable economic growth of the country. To know the factual information and accumulate specific recommendations on easy access to finance, BWCCI organized a virtual Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on 11 November 2020 with 08 women entrepreneurs from Barishal division and 02 Bank Officials from Basic Bank Limited and AB Bank Limited, Barishal. Ms. Selima Ahmad,MP, President of BWCCI and Ms. Ridma Khan, Director, BWCCI moderated the FGD. Ms. Sangita Ahmed, Senior Vice President, BWCCI and Ms. Nusrat Mirza, Director, BWCCI were also present and shared their valuable insights with women entrepreneurs and Bankers. The entire project team was present.”

17.11.20-1

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with women entrepreneurs of Dhaka division

BWCCI is executing a project entitled  “Promoting Democratic Participation in the Digital Economy (PDPDE)” funded by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)-USA. The main objective of the project is To identify the prevailing challenges and concerns, raising awareness of women entrepreneurs on digital economy and policy advocacy for overcoming the challenges. To know the factual information and accumulate specific recommendations on the challenges and concerns of women entrepreneurs on digital economy, BWCCI organized a virtual Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on 17 November 2020 with 11 women entrepreneurs from Khulna division. Ms. Selima Ahmad, MP, President of BWCCI, Ms. Sangita Ahmed, Senior Vice President of BWCCI, Ms. Ferdousi Sultana Begum, Consultant of the project and Ms. Ridma Khan, Board of Director, BWCCI moderated the FGD. The entire project team was present.

BWCCI & UNDP jointly hosted a Policy Dialogue on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Bangladesh

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) jointly hosted a Policy Dialogue as part of IELD (Inclusive and Equitable Local Development) Project for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Bangladesh on 25th April, 2019 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka.

Honorable Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury Chaired as the Chief Guest and Selima Ahmad, MP, President-BWCCI moderated the Dialogue.

BWCCI Progressive Award 2017 & 2018

BWCCI in association with Eastern Bank Ltd and Agrani Bank Ltd. organized “BWCCI Progressive Award 2017 and 2018”ceremony on 20 July, 2019 at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Kakrail, Dhaka. Mr. Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Industries, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Mr. Manmohan Parkash, Country Director, Bangladesh Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank and Mr. S M Moniruzzaman, Deputy Governor, Bangladesh Bank were present as the Special Guests. Mr. Mohammad Shams-Ul Islam, MD & CEO, Agrani Bank Ltd. Mr. Ali Reza Iftekhar, MD & CEO, Eastern Bank Ltd. attended the event as the Guests of Honor. Ms. Selima Ahmad MP, President, BWCCI chaired the program while Ms. Sangita Ahmed, Senior Vice President, BWCCI along with other Board Directors were present.

500 women entrepreneurs from all over the country, donor representatives, bank officials, media and civil society representatives were present in the program.

This year 8 BWCCI members from 8 divisions have been awarded for their significant achievements in business sector. In addition, 2 journalists have also been awarded for their significant contributions to women entrepreneurship development in the country.

BWCCI 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BWCCI) was held on 20 July 2019 at the Multipurpose Hall, Diploma Engineer’s Institute, Kakrail, Dhaka with the 500 women entrepreneurs from all over the country and directors of BWCCI were also present in the program. Selima Ahmad MP, President of BWCCI presided over meeting.

At the beginning the Ms. Selima Ahmad thanked all members for their hard work and integrity over the past years. She said that since 2001, BWCCI has been working as a vibrant platform for women’s economic empowerment and development. Today, BWCCI is a renowned advocate for women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh at local, national and international level. Annual report, audit report and financial reports of BWCCI were read out and approved by the house.