Home ›› 17 Feb 2022 ›› Front
Women entrepreneurs have sought a Tk 200 crore allocation in the upcoming national budget for FY2022-23 for supporting the development of women-owned businesses, especially those hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BWCCI) – a trade body of women entrepreneurs – made the recommendation in a pre-budget meeting with National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem on Tuesday.
The proposal, submitted by BWCCI President Selima Ahmad MP, also sought VAT and tax exemption for new women-owned businesses for the first three years, the same facility for existing businesses for the next two years, and slashing license and renewal fees by 50 per cent.
BWCCI further recommended reducing the VAT rate from 15 per cent to 4 per cent for women-owned service sector businesses – especially boutiques, beauty parlours and food businesses, and increasing the income tax limit to Tk 4.5 lakh instead of Tk 3.5 lakh.
For the Bangladesh Bank’s incentive package for entrepreneurs, the chamber suggested allocating a 15 per cent quota for women instead of the existing 5 per cent, read a press release.
Despite significant contributions to the economy, women entrepreneurs do not get enough facilities and often face difficulties everywhere.
Selima Ahmad established the BWCCI in 2001 to be the voice of women entrepreneurs’ work for their socio-economic development, and create a platform for discussing the business conditions and plans with them.
