Women Entrepreneurship

Development in Bangladesh

Success of

SME Foundation

Farzana KhanDeputy General Manager &

Head of Women Entrepreneurship Development Wing

SME Foundation

SME are recognized as engine of economic growth and

employment generation for sustainable industrialization in

both developing and developed countries in the world. In

context of Bangladesh there is no alternative of small and

medium enterprises for rapid industrialization and national

economic growth through lower capital investment and

employment generation.

The SME Foundation is playing its role in helping the SME

entrepreneurs by conducting various program with an aim to

develop the SMEs of Bangladesh

One of the major aims of SMEF is to bring the SME

entrepreneurs into the mainstream of economic development.

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SME Foundation is working for the development of

women entrepreneurs since its inception. Women

entrepreneurship development is a priority for SME

Foundation. The Foundation is working in diversified

sectors in relation to the empowerment of women

entrepreneurs. One of the goals of its activities is to

integrate the women entrepreneurs to the mainstream.

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In the developing country like Bangladesh where well-paid

employment is scarce, entrepreneurship may be the only

way that most individuals can rise above the poverty. It is

very important to involve women who are the half of the

country’s population with formal economic activities.

We should emphasize on creating self employment

opportunities and on expansion of employment generating

micro, small and mediaum business enterprises and at the

same time on active involvement of women in the economic

development process.

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Women Entrepreneurship Development (WED) has been

one of the key concepts paving the way to the

development of the women and involving them more in

the economic activities of the country. The Government

of Bangladesh put special emphasis on Women

Development policy for undertaking various development

programs for Women. To generate employment through

promotion of Small and Medium enterprises for women

entrepreneurs.

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Now I would like to points-out some statistics published in

some newspapers

Women lag behind in higher education only 27%

students in public universities are women which

indicates their poor status in higher education

About 18% teachers at public universities are female,

while the percentages is 24% in private universities.

Only 16% government officials are women in

administration service.

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On the other hand in our country women entrepreneurs are

marching forward. Despite many barriers the women

entrepreneurs of the country are taking on the challenges to

work in a male dominated competitive and complex business

environment.

Besides improving living conditions they are contributing to the

country’s business and export growth, supplies, employment

generation, productivity and skill development.

According to the survey of SME Foundation the women

entrepreneurs are holding about 10% of the total business

entrepreneurs of the country.

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Bangladesh bank data shows if women’s household work

is considered as economic activities their contribution to

the GDP stands at about 48% of which 13% is from women

entrepreneurs. Data also show women contributes 35% in

readymade garments sector, 31% in poultry, 22% in crop

production, 17% in livestock and 15% in non-industrial

sector.

Bangladesh Bank Inititiatives, activities of SME

Foundation and floushing of many associations of women

entrepreneurs throughout the country –all are good signs

towards the development of women entrepreneurship in

Bangladesh.

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The Government of Bangladesh has put special emphasis

on Women Development policy for undertaking various

development programs for Women.

To generate employment through promotion of Small and

Medium Enterprise(SME) for both educated and less

educated women entrepreneurs SME Foundation has been

trying to provide them WED services in addition to

investment counseling , training, referring to credit

programs, consultancy, information providing, marketing

and technical assistance, etc.

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Women entrepreneurship development is one of the

most prioritized commitments of SME Foundation

(SMEF).

The goal of these activities is to bring the women

entrepreneurs in the mainstream of development

process and thus ensure their empowerment.

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To identify the key issues and problems relating to women

entrepreneur in order to inform policy level and facilitate

effective support for these target groups.

To create favorable environment for women entrepreneurs

and bring them in the mainstream of development process.

To ensure full participation of women entrepreneurs in

economic development of the country.

To improve efficiency of women entrepreneurs in

performing their business responsibilities

To strengthen institutional capacities for monitoring and

evaluation of gender equality in the area of

entrepreneurship Development.

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Popular businesses Women entrepreneurs

involved (%)

Tailoring/ embroidery 23.7

Block/batik 18.4

Beauty Parlour 14.4

Poultry 13.2

Garments 11.8

Fishery 5.3

Nakshi Kantha 2.6

Others 10.5

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Source: Women Entrepreneurs in SMEs: Bangladesh Perspective, SME Foundation, 2009

Booster Sectors Entrepreneurs involved (%)

Designing, Aesthetically-challenging, Personal

Wear and effect

27.8

Knitwear and Ready-Made Garments 12.9

Agro proc./Agribus./Plantation ag/Specialist

farm/Tissue Culture

10.8

Pharmaceuticals/cosmetics/toiletries 5.9

Healthcare & diagnostics 3.4

Educational services 2.6

Electronics and Electrical 1.0

Software Development 0.8

Light Engineering and Metal-working 0.6

Plastic and other synthetics 0.6

Leather Making and Leather Goods 0.3

Others 46.8

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Popular businesses Women entrepreneurs

involved (%)

Sole Proprietorship 85.41

Partnership 4.54

Family ownership 9.47

Company 0.39

Others 0.19

Source: Women Entrepreneurs in SMEs: Bangladesh Perspective, SME Foundation, 2009

Problems of Women Entrepreneurs %

Lack of capital 87.90

Lack of marketing opportunities 21.30

Lack of raw materials 20.40

Lack of skilled worker 14.20

Lack of experience 9.00

Absence of training 8.70

Problems of accounts keeping 2.50

Others 2.50

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Source: Women Entrepreneurs in SMEs: Bangladesh Perspective, SME Foundation, 2009

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Separate loan scheme for

women- MTB Gunobati and

Trust Sukanna

Single digit loan facilities

Financing Fair

Gender training for the

bankers

Bankers-entrepreneurs match

making, etc.

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Training on Marketing Techniques

SMEF Product Display Center

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National SME Trade Fair

Regional SME Trade Fair

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Pre-Budget Discussion Meeting with

National Board of Revenue

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Study on Women Entrepreneurs in SMEs:

Bangladesh Perspective

Web location: http://smef.org.bd/functions/dl_file.php?id=1&file=../media/50/wom

en_entrepreneurs_in_smes_bangladesh_perspective.pdf

SME Women Entrepreneurs Directory

Web location:http://smef.org.bd/functions/dl_file.php?id=1&file=../media/1

02/smef_wed_directory.pdf

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Sharing meeting with

Women Trade Association

ICT Capacity Building of

Women Trade Association

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Thanks

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