Women entrepreneurs must prioritise quality products to stay competitive in both domestic and global markets, said Anowar Hossain Chowdhury, Managing Director of the SME Foundation, on Saturday.

He assured that the SME Foundation would continue to provide training and technical support to potential women entrepreneurs to help them develop quality products.

The three-day fair, held at the Shooting Club in Gulshan, showcased the innovations and products of women entrepreneurs.

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Anowar Hossain also mentioned that, as of the current fiscal year, the SME Foundation has disbursed Tk 200 crore through 17 banks and five financial institutions across the country to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Notably, 24 percent of the foundation’s trainers are women entrepreneurs, he said.

WEAB President Nasrin Fatem Awal presided over the event, with Gitanjali Singh, UN Women Representative to Bangladesh, and former FBCCI Directors Anowar Hossain and Jalal Uddin, among others, also speaking at the event.

Nasrin Awal, in her speech, emphasised the need for easier access to loans and business certifications for women.

Women Entrepreneurs organize 3-day trade fair at Gulshan Shooting Club

She also called for a reduction in trade license and BSTI certification fees for women to enable marginal women to become entrepreneurs.

The "July Corner," which attracted considerable attention at the fair, was designed to honor women in the July Uprising.

Former FBCCI President Abdul Awal Mintoo, along with other trade body leaders, also visited the "July Corner" during the closing ceremony.

Over 50 stalls showcasing products by women entrepreneurs were on display at the event.

Women entrepreneurs from Nepal, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan also took part in the fair.