Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) organized a national level workshop on “Prospects of natural fiber based product and the closing ceremony of the project” today under Bangladesh INSPIRED program funded by the Ministry of Industries, GoB and the European Union at Ivy Rahman Auditorium, Bangladesh Mohila Somity, Dhaka. Mr. Amir Hossain Amu, MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Industries, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Mario Ronconi, Minister Counsellor and Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh was present as the Guest of Honor and Mr. Shushen Chandra Das, Project Director, Bangladesh INSPIRED and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Mr. Sirajul Islam, Director, Buro Bangladesh attended the occasion as distinguished guests. Ms. Selima Ahmad, 
President, BWCCI chaired the program. Various stakeholders including representatives from government and non-government organizations, development partners, business organizations, general members and directors of BWCCI, project participants as well as women entrepreneurs were also present and actively participated in the event.
In her speech BWCCI President Ms. Selima Ahmad said that it is the time to transform the banana and pineapple fiber into resource. Waste materials are being used now as the raw materials of lucrative and innovative handicraft items. It has already been proved that the banana stem and pineapple leaves are not waste materials. Use of natural fibre is being increased gradually as trained women SMEs are producing and selling their products made of natural fibre. Banana and pineapple fibre is also reducing environmental pollution. She urged to ensure easy loan, provide technology and training support from the Ministry of Industry, SME Foundation, Export Promotion Bureau and also to assist the women entrepreneurs for marketing of their products at the national and international level. Finally she underlined that it was highly desired to explore this natural fiber based industrial initiative for having progressive Bangladesh.
As the Chief Guest, Mr. Amir Hossain Amu, MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Industries, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh said that this new intervention is highly contributing to the national economic development; it also helps develop women for taking initiatives for social and economic development of the country and to create skilled human resources. Giving importance to the initiative, the minister informed the house that our government sincerely believes that without women empowerment sustainable development is impossible as they represent half of the population of the country. For this reason, government is giving importance on economic empowerment of the women in every sector. This project has taken the initiative to involve poor women in income generation and it is really praiseworthy. He also added that employment of the poor rural women through the natural fiber based production has motivated me a lot. Rural women are now developing their skills through technical training to produce different kinds of handicraft products. Natural fiber products have been progressive sectors of this country. Mr. Minister assured also to place request before the honorable prime minister for her kind support to flourish this sector in future. In conclusion the honorable minister stated that besides government, other non government institutions, development partners including the European Union and business community must come forward to extend their support to explore this natural fiber based product initiative.
Ali Sabet in his speech praising the initiatives of BWCCI said that as a new intervention, this project has already achieved its goal. He also hoped that including the European Union, the development partners will come forward to assist the poor and potential women entrepreneurs towards sustainable development.
Shushen Chandra Das, Project Director, Bangladesh INSPIRED and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries said that Bangladesh Government is very much keen to the women entrepreneurs. A series of projects have already been taken by the government as per the 7th five years plan and vision 2021. He also assured to continue their support to the women SMEs.
