BWCCI – Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry

18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of BWCCI

The 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) was held on 28 October, 2024 at Dr. Neelima Ibrahim Milonayoton, Bangladesh Mohila Samity, New Baily Road, Dhaka. Selima Ahmad, President, BWCCI presided and delivered her welcome speech. Women entrepreneurs from all over the country were present.

Following the AGM, in an open discussion session, members voiced their problems as well as suggestions for future developments. A new Board of fourteen Directors for the term of 2024-2026 was announced including Selima Ahmad as President, Sangita Ahmed as Senior Vice President, Sabina Alam as Vice President, Shahana Jefreen as Treasurer. BWCCI general members and secretariat staff warmly welcomed the new Board. Selina Quader founder Director of BWCCI was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the organization since inception.

List of the Board of Directors for the term of 2024-2026:

Collaboration Meeting with Nari Maitree & BWCCI

Collaboration meeting between Nari Maitree and BWCCI

On September 15, 2024, Ms. Selima Ahmad, President of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI), attended a collaboration meeting between Nari Maitree and BWCCI at the Krishibid Institute of Bangladesh (KIB), Farmgate, Dhaka, as the Chief Guest. Among others, Ms. Ridma Khan and Ms. Lipi Khandker- Directors, BWCCI also joined with her. The meeting was organized by Nari Maitree under the project titled “Addressing Gender-Based Barriers to Young Women’s Economic Empowerment in Bangladesh funded by Save the Children International”. Ms. Shaheen Akter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, presided over the event, while Ms. Selina Chowdhury attended as the Special Guest. Around 30 women entrepreneurs and senior officials of both BWCCI and Nari Maitree participated in the program.

The meeting aimed to leverage synergies, explore mentorship and inspiration opportunities, expand networks and identify areas for future collaboration. In her speech, Ms. Ahmad emphasized the importance of networking for joint initiatives, noting that strategic planning is crucial for startup women entrepreneurs. She expressed her confidence that women entrepreneurs could enhance their capacity and skills to foster a non-discriminatory society. Additionally, she offered practical advice to help the entrepreneurs develop and strengthen their businesses.

Ms. Dolly thanked Ms. Ahmad for her presence and valuable input, expressing her desire to collaborate closely in the future to advance women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship development. The women entrepreneurs in attendance voiced their appreciation for the program, highlighting its benefits.

Sub-agreement For Enterprise-based Training Signing Ceremony

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) has signed the Sub-agreement with the Sub-Partner Organizations for the Enterprise Based Training under ASSET project on June 30, 2024. Ms. Selima Ahmad, President-BWCCI, Board of Directors, the Head of the partner organizations and the ASSET- BWCCI project team were present in the signing ceremony at BWCCI office.

Performance-Based Grant Agreement (PBGA) Signing Ceremony With ASSET Project

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) has signed a performance-based agreement with the ASSET project for Enterprise Based Training as a pilot project on May 30, 2024. Ms. Selima Ahmad-President, BWCCI and Abu Momtaz Saaduddin Ahmed, Honorable Project Director-ASSET Project, Additional Secretary of Bangladesh Government has signed the agreement. Ms. Sangita Ahmed-Sr. Vice President, BWCCI also signed as witness.

Awareness Raising Workshop on Gender Based Violence at the Workplace

Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) with the support of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) organized an event titled “Awareness Raising Workshop on Gender Based Violence at the Workplace” on 19 March 2024 at the Lakeshore Heights, Gulshan-1, Dhaka. The workshop was presided by Ms. Selima Ahmad, President-BWCCI. Ms. Barbara Langley, Director-CIPE was the Chief Guest of the workshop. Ms. Sangita Ahmed, Senior Vice President-BWCCI, Ms. Sabina Alam, Vice President- BWCCI and Ms. Ridma Khan, Director-BWCCI were the discussants of the program. Ms. Shaila Parvin Pia, Advocate-Bangladesh Supreme Court was present as a resource person. Many board members and General members were also present.

A brief presentation on Gender Based Violence at the Workplace was given and an open discussion was followed that. There was a short question and answer session in the workshop where the women entrepreneurs participated eagerly.

Women Institute for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Development (WIELD)

It was a 20 Year long dream of Selima Ahmad founder president of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry to establish a Training Center whereby women from all over the country could come and stay in a beautiful and safe environment during trainings on entrepreneurship and skill based learning. This dream was relayed to BWCCI family. Finally, in 2022, with much needed help from the Finance Ministry, SEIP Project and ADB- the 8 storied building with training rooms conference room, canteen and smart hostel rooms with full air conditioning and generator back up, to house more than 50 participants at a time, was completed .

The first two Training Courses on Beautification and Fashion Design, with 50 female participants from all corners of Bangladesh, were completed on 27 December 2023! What a proud moment!

Here are some pictures of the facilities and certificate giving ceremony our first batches of trainees and their triumphs.