See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/336836287

International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management THE SOCIO-

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN BANGLADESH

Article in International Journal of Commerce and Management · June 2016

CITATIONS READS

14 2,272

1 author:

Ishita Roy
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University
9 PUBLICATIONS 73 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Article View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Ishita Roy on 27 October 2019.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management
United Kingdom Vol. IV, Issue 6, June 2016
http://ijecm.co.uk/ ISSN 2348 0386

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS IN BANGLADESH

Ishita Roy
Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Bangladesh
royishitadu@gmail.com

Abstract
The present study examines the contribution of women entrepreneur in different sectors of
business and commerce that contribute to the national economic development in Bangladesh.
The sectors to which they contribute most are Agriculture, Readymade Garments and Small
Business Enterprises. A large majority of the households in Bangladesh depend upon
agriculture and related activities like livestock rearing, fisheries and forestry. The ready-made
garment (RMG) industry of Bangladesh started in the late 1970s and became an important
player in the economy. The industry has contributed to export earnings, foreign exchange
earnings, employment creation, poverty alleviation and the empowerment of women. SME plays
a significant role in the economy and it is also considered a major sector to contribute to
sustainable development of our country. In Bangladesh SME provides over 87% of the total
industrial employment and is responsible for the creation of over 33% of industrial value added
goals. At present women entrepreneurs constitute less than 10% of the total business
entrepreneur in Bangladesh.

Keyword: Women Entrepreneur, Agriculture, Socio-economic, RMG, Empowerment,

Development, SME, Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is a resource-limited and overpopulated country where society is highly stratified,
services and opportunities are determined by gender, class and location. However, women
make nearly half of the population which means huge potential to be utilized for socio-economic
development of the country. Development and enrichment of women entrepreneurship are the

Licensed under Creative Common Page 582

 International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom

means of promoting national competitiveness and sustainability. Its represent the individual and
community level initiative and contribution towards the greater national economy, poverty
alleviation models pursued by both the GOs and NGOs consider the above mentioned
phenomenon as one of the prior sector of intervention. Bangladesh is one of the countries,
which rectified the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW). The Constitution of Bangladesh also grants equal rights to women and men
in all spheres of public life [Article 28(1), and 28(3). The Constitution also keeps an obligation for
the state to ensure women‟s active and meaningful participation in all spheres of public life
(Article-10).
Existing sex ratio in demographic structure of Bangladesh indicates that women
comprise almost 50% of the total population (BBS, 2006). They are essential part of nation‟s
human resources. Due to this demographic structure, the issue of the participation of women in
the mainstream economy is imperative. Without a meaningful and active participation of women,
half of the total population, in regular economic activities, a dynamic and sustainable economy
is impossible. A sustainable economy is a precondition for national growth and prosperity
including institutionalization of a democratic system. It is also impossible to achieve the target of
a poverty-free society without incorporation of women in the mainstream economy. Women‟s
economic empowerment is an inevitable part of development discourse.
Excluding women from the mainstream development program, institutionalization of a
sustainable development process is just unthinkable. It is inspiring to mention here that a new
woman‟s entrepreneurs‟ class is increasingly emerging each year taking on the challenge to
work in a male-dominated, competitive and complex economic and business environment
(BWCCI, 2008).

Objectives of the Study

The overall objective of the study is to examine the key gender issue involved in development
in the SME, RMG and Agriculture sectors, with a view to addressing the problems of exclusion
of women from access to market, technology and finance and make recommendations to
understand the present condition and contribution of women in Bangladesh.

METHODOLOGY
This report is based on the information collected from diverse sources following a specific
methodology. This report has been written on the basis of information collected from secondary
sources.

Licensed under Creative Common Page 583

 © Roy

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR IN BANGLADESH

In Bangladesh men are considered to be the head of the family and it‟s most important member,
since it is most often men earn the income that houses, feeds, and clothes for the family. Men
also have a far easier time than women in seeking paid employment. Works typically divided
along gender lines, with men being responsible for “outside” work and women for housework
and child care. Bangladeshi women suddenly changed their activities. They are now working in
different economic activities and paying important role in national economy. They are adding
value in GDP. Here we will discuss the role of women in national economy in terms of
Agriculture, RMG and SME.

Agriculture
In Bangladesh though most of the farmers are male but a lot of women are now playing an
important role in the improvement of agricultural sector as well as the economy of Bangladesh.
Agriculture continues to play an important role in most non-industrial economies, as a major
contributor to the country‟s export earnings and as a source of employment and livelihood.
Official statistics often underestimate the value of women‟s work and their overall contribution to
national wealth. Women continue to provide a large proportion of the labor that goes into
agriculture. Bangladesh is an agricultural country. And almost 80 percent people directly or
indirectly depends on agriculture. Bangladesh agriculture is dominated by rice, the staple food
crop, which occupies about 75 percent of the total cropped area. Since the early 1980s wheat
production has increased significantly and is now around 5 percent of the total cropped area.
Potato, chilies, pulses, and oil seeds are complementary nonce real food crops that supplement
the staple diet. Besides rice, wheat, and jute, sugarcane and tobacco are major crops. On an
experimental basis rubber, coffee, and palm trees are cultivated on a small scale in some areas.
Small and medium-sized households produce barely enough food crops to meet their own
consumption requirements. Only large farm households can generally sell their surplus cereal
products in the market. Bangladesh has one of the lowest per capita annual incomes in the
world ($345 in 1998).Income levels in rural and urban areas differ significantly. In rural areas
opportunities for wage employment are limited, and wage rates are low. The level and
composition of consumption expenditure also differ in rural and urban areas. In Bangladesh the
share of women in the total economically active population is 39%, indicating relatively lower
economic participation by women. Most often, activities such as care of livestock and poultry,
vegetable growing, post-harvest processing and preservation, usually done by women in the
farm households. Revised enumeration methods documented that about 65% of the employed
population has been engaged in agriculture and related industrial activities. In this sector 71.5%

Licensed under Creative Common Page 584

 International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom

of women were employed compared to 60.3% of men. Women, who primarily work as unpaid
family workers, accounted for 45.6% of total employment in agriculture. The second largest
employment sector is agricultural product manufacturing - engaged 21.6% of women. Among all
people employed, women accounted for 64%. Particulars percentage people engaged in
agriculture and 65% of total population related activities Women engaged in agriculture and
71.5% of total female population related activities. Men engaged in agriculture and related
60.3% of total male population activities Women engaged in agriculture 45.6% of total
population engaged in agriculture. 54.4% off men of total population engaged in agriculture.
21.6% of women of total population engaged in product manufacturing. 78.4% of men of total
population engaged in manufacturing agricultural product. Average women engaged in
agricultural 64% of the total women activities (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, 2009-2010).
A large majority of the households in Bangladesh depend upon agriculture and related
activities like livestock rearing, fisheries and forestry. In 2009-2010, crops accounted for 77.7%
of the total agricultural production, fisheries 7.8%, livestock 7.7% and forestry 6.8%. Sectors
Contribution Crops 77.7% Fisheries 7.8% Livestock 7.7% Forestry 6.8% Total 100% (Source:
Ministry of Agriculture, 2009-2010). Despite their routine domestic work, women are very
actively involved in agricultural production in Bangladesh. Women in rural Bangladesh are in
general responsible for most of the agricultural work in the homestead. They traditionally
undertake home gardening. Farm activities in the homesteads, ranging from selection of seed to
harvesting and storing of crops, are predominantly managed by women. Despite women‟s
important role in agriculture, the traditional social norms and customary laws combined with the
purdah system deprive Bangladeshi women of equitable economic opportunities and access to
resources. The primary activities of women in agriculture sector are as follows; Cultivation,
Home Gardening, Livestock, Poultry, Vegetable growing, Post-harvest processing and
Preservation .In Bangladesh, 120355263 people are engaged in agriculture and agriculture
based industrial activities. Among those people 64091508 are men which is 53.25% of the total
population and56263719 are women which is 46.75% of the total population. Statistics is given
below:

Table 1. Sectorwise Contribution in GDP: The Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) of Bangladesh
Agricultural Manufacturing Services Others Total
Sector Sector Sector
23.50% 28.60% 41.80% 6.10% 100%

Source: Bangladesh Bank; Data released on November 2010

Licensed under Creative Common Page 585

 © Roy

The agricultural sector accounted for nearly 23.50% of Gross Domestic Product which provides
US$ 27.16 billion. Women contribution in GDP is US$ 10.58 billion. (Source: Bangladesh Bank;
Data released on November 2010). It is estimated that women represent a substantial share of
the total agricultural labor force, as individual food producers or as agricultural workers, and that
around two-thirds of the female labor force in developing economies is engaged in agricultural
work. Part of the overall decline in the percentage of economically active women in agriculture
globally is attributable to the greater involvement of rural populations in employment, in addition
to the ongoing increase in migration to urban areas. The low-income countries of the world -
where agricultural production is still labor-intensive -also tend to have the highest percentages
of economically active women working in agriculture, particularly in the LDCs.
The female contribution to the overall economy is high throughout Asia and the Pacific
region, particularly in terms of labor input into agriculture. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam have particularly high percentages of
women employed in the agricultural sector, with estimates ranging between 60 and 98 percent.
Indeed, in most Asian countries the number of women employed in agriculture as a percentage
of the women contribution is higher than that of men. This finding is even more significant given
that data for the economically active population in agriculture tends to exclude the unpaid work
by rural women in farm and family economies. If unpaid work were included, the figures for
female employment in agriculture would be even higher. Women‟s increased responsibilities in
recent decades for reproducing and maintaining the family, in most lower-income countries,
have resulted in rather complex and demanding livelihood strategies. These diversified
livelihood strategies have to respond to the internal and external dynamics that typically
influence rural families, such as: Increased out-migration by men, leaving women with sole
responsibility for their families. Increased economic vulnerability to global market forces as
traditional foods become less economical to produce, rural incomes decline and commercial-
agriculture becomes more input-intensive and productive resources are dominated by
agribusiness. Studies have shown that resources controlled by women are more likely to be
used to improve family food consumption and welfare, reduce child malnutrition and increase
overall well-being of the family. The necessity for thorough assessments of how trade
liberalization may or may not impact on food security, nutritional status and/or access to
agricultural inputs and other productive factors - from a gender-differentiated perspective -
should be seen in this context. Creating such assessments is crucial to the successful
development of any programmer or policy ultimately concerned with improving food security or
poverty alleviation. Women have always worked in the production of food and other products in
rural areas. However, official statistics are determined by reporting in line with official definitions

Licensed under Creative Common Page 586

 International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom

of agricultural work, which tend not to recognize women‟s contribution to agricultural activities,
despite efforts to improve gender-differentiated data in agricultural census and household
surveys. Moreover, the increased female labor input into agricultural exports is not associated
with greater access to or control of agricultural resources.
Our government and conscious people should emphasis on the betterment and
increasing participation of women in the society for easily doing agricultural activities.

Ready-Made Garment (RMG)

Garments sector is the largest employer of women in Bangladesh. The garment sector has
provided employment opportunities to women from the rural areas that previously did not have
any opportunity to be part of the formal workforce. This has given women the chance to be
financially independent and have a voice in the family because now they contribute financially.
Women are also adding vale in national economy from this sector. At present 2.88million (78%
of the total garment worker) female workers engaged in RMG sector of Bangladesh.
The ready-made garment (RMG) industry of Bangladesh started in the late 1970s and
became an important player in the economy. The industry has contributed to export earnings,
foreign exchange earnings, employment creation, poverty alleviation and the empowerment of
women. Like other 3rd world countries Bangladesh is a developing country. Economic
development depends firstly on Agriculture and secondly on Industry. Although Bangladesh is
not developed in industry, it has been enriched in Garment industries in the recent past years.
For Bangladesh, the readymade garment export industry has been the proverbial goose that
lays the golden eggs for over fifteen years now. It is making significant contribution in the field of
our export income and in the economic development of our country. The RMG industry enjoyed
a meteoric rise from 30 enterprises in 1980 increased to about 5150 in 2010-11 fiscal years.

Table 2.The growth of Garment industries & number of workers of over 5 years
Year Garment Employment Women worker
factories (million) (million)
2006-2007 4490 2.40 1.92
2007-2008 4743 2.80 2.24
2008-2009 4925 3.50 2.80
2009-2010 5063 3.60 2.88
2010-2011 5150 3.60 2.88
Source: BGMEA, 2011

Licensed under Creative Common Page 587

 © Roy

In 2011, Out of 3.6 million manpower employed in BGMEA member factories, 2.88 million are
women (78%), majorities of them are disadvantaged and economically poverty stricken women
folk. Woman in RMG Employment in the RMG (Ready Made Garments) industry has provided
direct access to cash income for the first time to many poor women. Bangladesh has abundant
human resources especially women workers but most of the human resources are unskilled, not
trained, underutilized and not educated as required. RMG is mainly human resource especially
human resources intensive industry and its paramount proportion of human resources are
women workers. RMG is the key contributive sector in economic development of Bangladesh. In
Bangladesh maximum proportion of the garments workers are women. The garments industry
has been leading the Bangladesh economy since the early 1990s. Garments are the country‟s
principal export making up about 70% of total exports, and the industry is a symbol of the
country‟s dynamism in the world economy.
The greater part of the workforce is female; less educated, and has migrated from rural
areas. Garment sector is the largest employer of women in Bangladesh. The garment sector
has provided employment opportunities to women from the rural areas. This has given women
the chance to be financially independent and have a voice in the family because now they
contribute financially. In 1999, the industry employed directly more than 1.4 million workers,
about 80% of whom were female. With the growth of RMG industry, linkage industries supplying
fabrics, yarns, accessories, packaging materials, etc. have also expanded. Many women are
getting opportunities to work in those industries. The economic empowerment of these
workingwomen has changed their status in the family. Particulars Figure Total worker 3.60
Million. Total women worker 2.88 Million (78%). It is the largest exporting industry in Bangladesh
which is increased during the last 20 years. It attained a high profile in terms of foreign
exchange earnings, exports, industrialization and contribution to GDP within a short span of
time. The contribution of women in RMG sector can be viewed in following topic: ChipLabor:
Bangladesh is a third world country. Labor is chip here particularly women labor. Garments
industry has become flourishing here because of chip labor of women. Skill: Bangladeshi
women are traditionally expert in sewing. They are creative in clothing. With their creative work,
they put an importance in the success of garment industry here. Bangladeshi women are expert
garment related work. Bangladeshi govt. also provides training for them. So, they become an
asset to RMG. As a result, foreign investor feels interest to invest in Bangladesh. Earning
Foreign Currency: Bangladesh exports garment products. By exporting garment products, she
earns huge foreign currency. Women are like engine of RMG sector of Bangladesh. So, there is
no doubt the participation of women in earning foreign currency is very important. Adding value
in GDP: Garment industry added 10% of the total GDP in the year 2009-2010. As women drive

Licensed under Creative Common Page 588

 International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom

the garment sector, we can say, women are adding value in GDP.EPZ: In Bangladesh, there
are 9 EPZs. In these EPZs women are the main labor. Because of the labor of women, these
EPZs are running successfully. So, they are also adding contribution in our EPZs. Standard of
living: In past Bangladeshi women were confined in home. But time has changed. They are
working in different sectors. Among the sectors garment industry is one. They are also earning
money from working in garments. As a result, standard of living is increasing day by day. In this
regards, their contribution can‟t be eliminated. Increasing face value of Bangladesh: Bangladesh
exports RMG products in different parts of the globe. People of those countries praise the
quality garment products of Bangladesh. The face value of Bangladesh increases.

Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)

SME plays a significant role in the economy and it is also considered a major sector to
contribute to sustainable development of our country. In Bangladesh SME provides over 87% of
the total industrial employment and is responsible for the creation of over 33% of industrial value
added goals. At present women entrepreneurs constitute less than 10% of the total business
entrepreneur in Bangladesh. Whereas women in advanced market economics own more than
25% of a business. Establishment of women entrepreneurs‟ enterprises started growing during
1970s and increased during the 1980s and 1990s. The highest record of enterprise
establishment was during 2001-2005, nearly 50% enterprise were established from 2000 to
2010.
Bangladesh is a developing nation, rich in human resources where women constitute
slightly less than half the population. The majority of them are underprivileged, under nourished,
illiterate and poor. Moreover, there are not enough employment opportunities for women.
Therefore, economic activities, through self-employment have become essential for potential
working women. As a matter of fact, women entrepreneurship or “women in business” has
gained importance and acts as a very recent phenomenon in Bangladesh. Although women are
taking to entrepreneurship in many challenging fields, their activities in Bangladesh are not that
extensive. However, in spite of fewer opportunities, many women have succeeded in business,
though they are still very small in number. Despite its importance for the economy, the
emergence of women entrepreneurship in SMEs is a new phenomenon all over the world. In
Bangladesh, women entrepreneurship started developing in fact after the Liberation of
Bangladesh. Very few women entered the profession of business before the seventies.
Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs need to have an extra quality in the form of dogged
determination and resilience since this is needed to fight with adverse situations which seem to
confront the female entrepreneurs than their male counterparts in the present-day context.

Licensed under Creative Common Page 589

 © Roy

Table 3. Economic activities of women entrepreneur in Bangladesh

Manufacturing Only Whole Service Only Retail Both export OTHER TOTAL
and trading(%) Export sell Import and import

41.6% 10.6% 6.2% 12.8% 0% 13% 1.6% 14.2% 100%

Source: Bangladesh Women Chamber of commerce and Industries, 2010

According to the Bangladesh Economic Review 2009, around 6 percent of the country‟s
$90billion economy comes from SMEs. Bangladesh is rightly dubbed as a country of the SMEs.
Bangladesh industrial economy is thickly populated by these industries which amount for over99
percent of the private sector industrial establishments and provide more than 80 percent of
industrial employment. The relative SME shares in total GDP range between 25-30 percent and
that in manufacturing value added vary between 40-45 percent.
The age of the majority of the women entrepreneurs were between 31 to 40 years where
the women had the capacity to run enterprises with stability and reliability, overcome obstacles
with courage, face the social criticism and make decisions with confidence. It was found that the
greater the age, the lesser was their participation in the business profession and activities.
Majority of the women entrepreneurs had education below SSC, while some had completed
HSC, but no women entrepreneurs were found to be illiterate. A recent survey of SME
Foundation informed that 4.98% women entrepreneurs in SMEs were graduates, while only
4.44% had completed their Masters Degree, and a few had professional degrees. It has been
found that the majority of the women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh were married. The average
marital status is given below: Status Percentage Married 83.39% unmarried 10.63% widows
4.15% divorced 1.35% separated 0.48%. Women entrepreneurs lack resources or capital due
mostly to unequal inheritance. For bank loan women need to give collateral. It is a social
problem that loans to women need to be guaranteed by their husbands or fathers.
On the other hand, families feel more comfortable supporting financially a son, than a
daughter for capital. The majority of the women entrepreneurs 87.5% managed their sources of
initial capital out of their own savings. 21.84% women entrepreneurs in SMEs did inherit some
property which they utilized for business. A recent survey mentions that less than 50% women
entrepreneurs owned or rented showrooms for the marketing and sale of products. Around 48%
of women entrepreneurs were involved with their own business promotional activities and direct
sale of their products and services, while others utilized the services of distributors, whole-
sellers, retailers, hawkers and commission agents. Business development and increase of
promotional activities depended toa great extent on the modern system of access to IT but only
few had access to IT and less than90% did not have any training on computer operations.

Licensed under Creative Common Page 590

 International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom

Internet facilities were available to only 5% women entrepreneurs and business enterprises of
96% women entrepreneurs did not have email account and only 1.2% had a website.

Table 4. Sector contribution of women in Bangladesh economy

Name of the sectors % Enterprises
Garments/Home textile 16.1%
Printing 1.6%
Handicraft 69.4%
Agro based 3.2%
Parlor 4.8%
Food 3.2%
Others 1.6%
Total 100%.
Source: Bangladesh Women Chamber of commerce and Industries, 2010

About 83% of enterprises were established between the years 2000-2007 indicating that young
women are gradually becoming interested in business and entrepreneurial activities and
women‟s visibility in economic sector.

RECENT INFORMATION ABOUT WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR

DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT
Today a 12 member delegation from Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(BWCCI) led by its President Ms. Selima Ahmad met with Mr. AbulMaal Abdul Muhith,
Honorable Minister, Ministry of Finance, Government of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh to
discuss issues in further promoting women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh.
BWCCI President Ms. Selima Ahmad thanked Honorable Finance Minister for the continuation
of 100 crores taka as grant for women entrepreneurs as well as the announcement to extend
the credit facilities to women entrepreneurs in the national budget 2014-15 and for the initiative
taken very recently to develop a separate women entrepreneurship development policy. She
informed the minister about BWCCI‟s latest endeavor „Empower 5000‟ and said that BWCCI has
undertaken this new venture to graduate 5000 micro women entrepreneurs to SME level by
2020 through engaging them more into mainstream diversified business sectors with a view to
make Bangladesh a mid-income country. She then handed over the keynote of „Empower 5000‟
along with a crest to honorable minister and expressed hope that the government will extend
every support to materialize this.
Giving his speech Honorable Finance Minister Mr. AbulMaal Abdul Muhith said that the
Government is committed to implement women development policy fruitfully. He stated that in
last one decade, women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh has developed themselves considerably

Licensed under Creative Common Page 591

 © Roy

and has made notable contribution in the national economy. He said that on behalf of the
government his ministry will continue to support initiatives that promote women
entrepreneurship development (BWCCI, 2014).
Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) have received an
international award in recognition of its extraordinary efforts in promoting the development of
women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and in enhancing the status of women as important
contributors to the local economy and the society in general.
This year 7 women entrepreneurs from 7 divisions who are also BWCCI members were
awarded for their significant achievement in business; they were- Aysha Akter from Barisal
division, Shamim Ara Lipy from Chittagong division, Farjana Fatema Borna from Dhaka division,
Tanjima Jesmin from Khulna division, Chandona Ghosh from Rangpur division, Moreom Begum
from Rajshahi division and Farida Alam from Sylhet division. With them, 2 media
representatives also received award this year for their contributions towards women
entrepreneurship development in the country who are – Imtiaz Shahriar Emon, Senior Reporter
from Boishakhi Television in electronic media category and Shamsul Hoque Mohammad Miraj
from the Daily Samakal in print media category. Honorable industries minister Mr. Amir Hossain
Amu handed over the awards to the winners which included a trophy, a certificate and prize
money of Tk 15,000.

CONCLUSIONS
About two-fifths of the economy is now connected with the global economy through exports,
imports, factor and commodity markets; the degree of openness of the economy currently
stands at 40%. Bangladesh can now rightfully claim that she has graduated from a
predominantly aid receiving nation to a trading nation. It is well recognized that women‟s
participation in income generation activities lends them a better status within the family and
provides them with considerable freedom. Role of women in working environment also give
them opportunity to exercise their rights and responsibilities, which contribute organizational as
well as economic development of the country. It also reduces the possibility of domestic
violence against women.

REFERENCES
Afsar, Dr. Rita, Bringing Women Entrepreneurs in Policy Focus for SME Development in Bangladesh, A
keynote paper presented at the Seminar on Strengthening Capacity of Women organized by BWCCI,
February 26, 2008 BBS, The Statistical Pocket of Book of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2006. Available at:
www.moa.gov.bd/

Licensed under Creative Common Page 592

 International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom

Afrin, Sharmina; Nazrul Islam; and ShahidUddin Ahmed (2008) “A Multivariate Model of Micro Credit and
Rural Women Entrepreneurship Development in Bangladesh”, International Journal of Business and
Management, Vol. 3, No. 8(August), pp. 169-185.
Aktaruddin, M. (1999) “A Case Study of Some Successful and Unsuccessful Entrepreneurs in
Bangladesh”, Journal of Business Administration, Vol.25, pp.89-126.
Aktaruddin, M. (2000) “Socio-Economic Profile of Industrial Entrepreneurs: A Study on North Region of
Bangladesh”, A Journal of Banking and Finance, Vol. 25, pp.39-53.
Begum, R. (1993) “Entrepreneurship in Small-scale Industry: A Case Study of Engineering Units”, Dhaka
University Journal of Business Studies, Vol.14, pp.159-162.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) (undated) “Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh”,
Dhaka: Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), DCCICIPE/ERRA Project, Economic Policy
Papers (EPPs), No. 21; available at:www.dhakachamber.com/cipe/EPPs percent20&
percent20Studies/WEDfff.pdf
Goswami, Arun Kumar (1998) “Empowerment of Women in Bangladesh”, Empowerment: A Journal of
Women for Women, Vol. 5, p. 45.
Habibullah, M. (1987) “Entrepreneurship Training and Development”, Chittagong:Chittagong University,
Faculty of Commerce, Bureau of Business Research, pp.47-58.
HabiburRahman, A. H. M. (1995) “Bank Credit for Women Entrepreneurship Development in
Bangladesh”, Bank Parikrama, Vol. 20, p. 67.
HabiburRahman, A. H. M.; Muhammad Ali Mian; Durgadas Bhattacharjee; and Azizur Rahman Khan
(1979) Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development in Bangladesh (Dhaka: University of Dhaka,
Bureau of Business Research).
Haidar, Rumel and RashedaAkhtar (1990) “The Role of NGO and Women‟s Perception of Empowerment:
An Anthropological Study in a Village”, Empowerment, Vol. 6,pp. 61-62.
Hossain, K. S. and M. Rahman (1999) “Role of Grameen Bank in Entrepreneurship Development: A
Study on Some Selected Entrepreneurs”, Islamic University Studies (Part C), Vol. 2, pp 7-13.
Rahman, Aminur (1999) Women and Microcredit in Rural Bangladesh – An Anthropological Study of
Grameen Bank Lending (Boulder, CO: Westview Press).
Rotaru, Cornelia (2009) “Case Study: The Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry”, in:
Eric Hontz (ed.) Women‟s Business Associations Experiences from around the World: South Asia
(Washington, DC: Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)), pp. 15-25; available
at:www.cipe.org/publications/papers/pdf/South percent20Asia percent20Chapter.pdf
Saleh, Abu (1995) “A Profile of the Women Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh”, Journal of Business Studies
(of Dhaka University), Vol. 16, No.1 (June), pp, 159-170.Scott, W. Richard (2001) Institutions and
Organizations (Thousand Oak, CA: Sage Publications).
Shehabuddin, R. (1992) Empowering Rural Women: The Impact of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh
(Dhaka: Grameen Bank).

Licensed under Creative Common Page 593

View publication stats