Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BWCCI) congratulates the Finance Minister for increasing the minimum tax free income limit up to taka 3 Lac instead of taka 2 Lac 75 thousand in the national budget 2015-16. Moreover it will be a landmark for women empowerment by taking initiatives to ensure the participation of 50% women in all economic activities within 2021.
However, as a national trade body of women entrepreneurs, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry highly recommends the following issues to incorporate in the revised budget 2015-16 for the sake of women development of the country:
- Reserving priority based quota for women entrepreneurs in proposed economic zones
- Facilitating free registration for women entrepreneurs in international trade fairs and allow them to carry the products of minimum Taka. 5 lacs.
- Exemption of tax and vat fees up to sell on Taka. 50 lacs for the business institutes of women entrepreneurs.
- Exemption of tax to import machineries for women entrepreneurs.
- Ensure the representation of women entrepreneurs in the Import Trade Control Committee.
- Introducing the bank loan interest 7% to 9% for women entrepreneurs.
- Introducing tax free opportunity up to two years against the bank loan for women entrepreneurs.
If the above proposals are included in the National Budget 2015-2016, BWCCI told, the economic empowerment of women will be increased. As a result the women entrepreneurs will be able to play a significant role in the overall development of the country.
