Speakers at a discussion recommended a set of proposals for incorporation in the 2006-2007 budget for the development of women entrepreneurship in the country.

They said that the proposals, if included in the next budget, would create a positive environment for development of women entrepreneurship. This observation was made at the "Interactive discussion with the Media on Women Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh" held at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday noon.

Organised by Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI), the discussion was chaired by Selina Ahmad, President of BWCCI while women entrepreneurs Nazma Ahmed, Salina Kader, Afroza Farook, Saila Khandker, Arjuman Salahuddin, Sangeeta Ahmed, Nazma Akhter Hossain, Zakir Hossain, Humayun Majid and Nargish Sultana spoke at the function.

Ruba Rummana, Assistant Professor of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology presented the key-note paper on "Budgetary Analysis of Women Entrepreneurship Development in Bangladesh: Some Recommendations for upcoming Budget." Explaining the present status of the women entrepreneurs in the country, Ms Rummana stressed the need for practical experiences for strengthening the private sector initiatives specially for the women entrepreneurs to develop economic growth in the country by creating an window of opportunity within the existing framework.

The recommendations that were made at the discussion include allocation of Taka 25 crore for women entrepreneurship development, setting up First Women Bank and Women Entrepreneurship Academy, provision for collateral free access to finance, promoting diversification of design, provision of value added tax exemption for new women entrepreneurs for a minimum of five years, more opportunities for attending the trade fairs at home and abroad and tax holidays in genuine cases for up to ten years.