US reaffirms commitment to women’s economic growth in Bangladesh

The US has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment and fostering economic growth that is both gender-inclusive and provides opportunities to religious and other minorities across Bangladesh.

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Megan Bouldin made this comment as she presided over an event celebrating 90 aspiring women entrepreneurs on their completion of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme in partenership with BRAC University’s Center for Entrepreneurship Development in the capital today.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of 78 exceptional women entrepreneurs from across Bangladesh — including Sylhet, Cumilla, Barishal, Khagrachari, Jashore, Chattogram, and Dhaka — who successfully completed the second cohort of the US government-funded AWE Program, says a US embassy statement.

Congratulating the women, Bouldin said, the women were paving the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs and proving that women have a critical role to play in Bangladesh’s economic development.

During the ceremony, six top business pitch winners from the latest cohort were awarded for their outstanding business proposals

Chargé d’Affaires Bouldin also announced an additional $30,000 grant to fund a business pitch competition among 140 participants from all AWE cohorts.

“We are thrilled to announce this funding, which will allow women from all cohorts to compete for multiple $5,000 awards to support their entrepreneurial ventures,” Bouldin added.

The event featured a mini-fair and exhibition where participants showcased and sold their products, demonstrating the entrepreneurial skills they developed through the programme.