Women Entrepreneurs Products Expo-2004 and Award Giving Ceremony

A 3 day long Trade Fair of Women Entrepreneurs Products Expo-2004 and Award Giving Ceremony held on 7 to 9 September, 2004 at DCCI Auditorium (5th floor), Dhaka with great enthusiasm. The Fair was inaugurated Begum Selima Rahman, Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, GoB. The Expo-2004 was organized jointly by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) drew huge crowd. 31 participants displayed their own products like dry flower, handicrafts, foods, home textile, saree, leather goods, food items, boutique, building materials, travel bags, imitation jewellery, etc., covering wide range of products of more than 200 numbers. More than five thousand people including some foreigners visited the fair. Goods worth Tk. 5 lacs were sold in the fair. They also received orders from foreign buyers, as some of their goods were unique in nature and of superb quality.

In her inauguration speech Begum Selima Rahman, Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, GoB lauded the role of DCCI and CIPE for arranging this exhibition for populating the products of women entrepreneurs. He also praise the role of women for producing excellent products which shows the cultural heritage of our country and at the same time products with latest design. The taste of consumers is changing very fast with the advent of globalization our markets are being flooded with foreign goods. In order to compete with those goods our products should be of quality and at the same time price should also be cheaper.

Mr. Fazle R. M. Hasan FCA, President, DCCI told in his speech that it is very encouraging that our women people are coming up with excellent products and most of them are of export quality. DCCI in cooperation with CIPE is arranging training for women entrepreneurs, assisting them in production and also marketing.

Two successful women entrepreneurs Ms. Rima Zulfiquer of M/s. Griha Sukhan and Ms. Viquruennessa of M/s. Rosona were awarded crest in recognition of their contribution for the development of SME.

Mr. Omar Faruque, Coordinating Director, WED S/C and Director, DCCI, Ms. Safina Rahman, Convenor, WED S/C, DCCI also spoke on the occasion.

A musical soiree was arranged, at the end of the exhibition, which delighted the audience.

Orientation Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs on "How to Invest and Operate Share Business in the Stock Market"

An Orientation Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs on "How to Invest and Operate Share Business in the Stock Market" organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) was held on 30 October, 2004 at the Board Room of DSE. The objectives of the workshop were to give the women entrepreneurs an orientation and a practical idea on the operation of share business in Stock Market.

Mr. Omar Faruque, coordinating Director of Women Entrepreneur Standing Committee, DCCI in his brief introductory speech said that the Chamber is working hard for the upliftment of women in the field of trade, commerce and industry. He mentioned that the Women Entrepreneurs' Product Expo-2004 recently organized under the project attracted and generated tremendous response and enthusiasm among the women entrepreneurs'. He said that the women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh are simple and God fearing and less educated, they need appropriate guiding and goading for success in businesses. They don't have also no clear knowledge about investment in stock market.

Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed Khan, CEO of DSE in his deliberation told the participants that there is high profit in the Capital Market and at the same time there is also high risk involved. Share should be purchased examining the fundamentals not based on rumor. The investors may gain from the share market in two ways, i.e., from dividend income which include bonus share, right share etc. and as well as capital gain i.e., difference between buying and selling of the share. With the introduction of CDBL system, the investors should be more careful at least at the initial stage as they will not receive physical paper based copy of the shares in their hand. He said the share market should also be very careful in regard to collect relevant documents duly signed by authorized person.

There were presentations on the brief functions of Dhaka Stock Exchange, Legal issues of the stock operations and analysis part of trading of shares and bonds etc. by the senior level officials of DSE. There was also a physical demonstration of trading of shares to give a primary idea on the share market operation. Second session of the workshop was visit and observe the operations of brokers houses and different sections of the DSE.

About 35-participants attended the workshop. They raised pertinent questions on the topic. The programme was moderated by Ms, Ferdaus Ara Begum and coordinated by Mr. Mollah Shahidul Haque. It was felt in the programme that the women entrepreneurs' desperately needs counseling services to keep their share businesses in right track. They recommended to establish a monitoring and advisory cell for the women entrepreneurs. They also recommended for a one stop service cell for having information on the issue and more transparency in the debenture market to stop fraudulent practices.

The function was widely covered by local print and electronic media. Photos of the workshop and paper clippings will be sent to you by courier.

Women Entrepreneurial Workshop on Financial Laws & Regulations and its Impact on Women Entrepreneurs'

A day-long Women Entrepreneurial Workshop on Financial Laws & Regulations and Impact on Women Entrepreneurs' was organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) on October 2, 2004 at the Auditorium of the DCCI. The objectives of the workshop were to create awareness among the women entrepreneurs about the existing financial laws and inducing them to pin point the loopholes hampering their access to finance and inherent weaknesses in the infrastructure to get benefit from the financial organizations of Bangladesh

Dr. Shirly Randell, Project Implementation Specialists, Capacity Building for Gender Mainstreaming Project of Government of Bangladesh was present in the training workshop as guest of honour and narrated her experiences for capacity building of the women entrepreneurs. She suggested that women should be more vocal to raise their issues and present their problems in getting access to finance. She said, in order to succeed in entrepreneurship development an entrepreneur needs a mentor. She emphasized for building networks.

President, DCCI, Mr. Fazle R.M. Hasan FCA said that today's training workshop will help to criss cross the intricacies of having finance and the issues of financial laws and how to get an access to the finance at a low prices so that your margin of profit increases.

A senior level Banker Ms. Shamsad Begum, Executive Vice President, Dhaka Bank presented the keynote paper on the topic. She gave a brief analysis on the financed laws in Bangladesh and how the women entrepreneurs can get benefit out of it.

Mr. A.M. Mubash-Shar, Sr. Vice President, DCCI in his address of welcome requested them to put forward their opinions on the topic so that the Chamber can lobby with appropriate level to fulfill their demand. He also informed that CIPE has been helping the DCCI since 1999 for policy advocacy in favour of private sector and women entrepreneurship development is one of the components of the Project. DCCI is willing to initiate new and innovative activities for the women entrepreneurs to help them consolidating their position and establish their footing in the export market and earn a reasonable global share. He said weak and cumbersome regulatory frame work, lack of infrastructure and support services like electricity, gas and telephone connection; disruption of power supply, port and customs problems, over regulation by government agencies and procrastination and corruption are some of the already identified bottleneck hampering the grow of industrialization.

More than 40 participants from different business sectors namely; leather handicrafts, food processing units, dress makers, handicrafts etc and representatives from service providing organizations, banks, international organizations attended the training workshop and they raised pertinent points to address their problems and increasing their access to finance. Ms Safina Rahman, Convenor of the Women Entrepreneurship Standing Committee, DCCI conducted the open session. Ms. Maleka Khan, former Director, FBCCI also spoke on the occasion.

Ms Ferdaus Ara Begum, Additional Secretary, DCCI and Coordinating Officer, DCCI-CIPE/ERRA Project & Mr. Mollah Shahidul Haque, Consultant of the Project coordinated the program and acted as rapportears to take note of the discussion made by the participants.

Women Entrepreneurial Workshop on "Importance of Brand & Brand Equity in Marketing Products"

A day long Women Entrepreneurial Workshop on "Importance of Brand & Brand Equity in Marketing Products" was organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in co-operation with Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C., USA on 31 August, 2004 at the DCCI Auditorium (5th floor). Mr. A. M. Mubash-Shar, Acting President, DCCI chaired the program.

Mr. Omar Faruque, Director, DCCI and Coordinating Director, Women Entrepreneurship Development Standing Committee, DCCI, Mr. Manzur Ahmed, Director, DCCI and Mrs. Safina Rahman, Convenor, Women Entrepreneurship Development Standing Committee, DCCI spoke on the occasion. Mr. A. N. Wahid, Consultant presented the keynote paper. In total 30 participants attended the workshop.

Mr. A. M. Mubash-Shar, Acting President, DCCI in his speech mentioned that women entrepreneurs need to aware about the protection of their innovation. He said developed countries enacted laws to protect the brand and they were enjoying the benefits of brand equity. He said, women entrepreneurs should be aware about the benefits of having brand and take steps in this direction to regularize the name of their products through trade mark registration. In maintaining the reputation of brand they should be careful about the quality of their products, he added. Mr. Faruque, highlighted the importance of brand & brand equity and emphasized its implication on products like pharmaceuticals, healthcare, food and other consumer products.

The resource person highlighted the procedural issues, necessity of brand, cost of procedures of trade marks registration, etc. and presented examples of the comparative scenarios of the similarly placed countries so that women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh can take benefit out of it. The Coordinating Officer of the project & DCCI Additional Secretary Ms. Ferdaus Ara Begum, requested the women entrepreneurs participated in the training to mention about their problems in getting trade marks of their products and sought suggestions from them about the possible measures to get rid of their problems. She also mentioned that DCCI-CIPE, ERRA Project is preparing the activities to be implemented for the year 2005 of the project, at this stage their recommendation is very helpful.

A question-answer session was followed the presentation. Mr. Mollah Shahidul Haque, Consultant worked as facilitators in the workshop. Mr. M. Abu Horaira, Vice President, DCCI. was also present in the workshop.

Women Entrepreneurial Workshop on "Trade Organization Ordinance and TO Rules for Women Entrepreneurs"

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in co-operation with The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C., USA organized a day long Entrepreneurial Workshop on "Trade Organization Ordinance and TO Rules for Women Entrepreneurs" on 10th August, 2004 at the DCCI Business Institute.

About 50 participants, who have existing business or going to set up industries from different parts of the country and involved in running chambers/associations along with different NGO officials, government officials and also different service providers to small and medium enterprise participated the Workshop.

Mr. Fazle R. M. Hasan FCA, President, DCCI congratulated the participants for attending the workshop and their lively deliberations. He also praised the role of women entrepreneurs for contributing effectively to provide services through different associations/chambers and their role to the national economy specially in the field of trade, industry and investment. He expressed his satisfaction as women entrepreneurs activities are increasing in Bangladesh and hoped that this will be further increased in future days. He assured of all cooperation from the part of the DCCI to the women entrepreneurs.

Mr. Omar Faruque, Director, DCCI and Coordinating Director, Women Entrepreneurship Development Standing Committee, DCCI said that at present, women entrepreneurs have been playing an important role in leadership and different decision making process both inside and outside of their homes. This workshop is extremely useful for the women entrepreneurs as it will help them in getting an idea on the rules and regulation on how to run chambers/associations, he added. He also mentioned that the govt. has become increasingly aware that support services through the associations/chambers to small businesses owned by women entrepreneurs is crucial to the country's continued economic growth and has implemented several key reforms over the past few years to highlight their support.

Mr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, GoB as a resource person presented the keynote paper. He highlighted the main issues of Trade Organization Ordinance & TO Rules. Ms. Nurjahan Begum gave a brief on the changes brought in the year 2002 in TO Rules. A question-answer session was followed the presentation. Mrs. Ferdaus Ara Begum, Additional Secretary, DCCI and Mollah Shahidul Haque, Consultant worked as facilitators in the workshop.

Women Entrepreneurial Workshop on Importance of Patent Law/Copyrights in Entrepreneurship Development

1. Introduction

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in co-operation with The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C., USA organized a Women Entrepreneurial Workshop on "Importance of Patent Law/Copyrights in Entrepreneurship Development" on 9 June, 2004 at DCCI Auditorium (5th floor), Dhaka. In all 50 participants who have existing business or going to set up industries attended the workshop coming from different parts of the country. NGO officials, government officials, different service providers to small and medium enterprises and senior advocates, attorney and members of different legal institutions also participated in the workshop. (Program of the workshop is enclosed as Annex-D)

Mr. Fazle R. M. Hasan, FCA, President, DCCI as the Chief Guest inaugurated the workshop. The objectives of the workshop were to aware women entrepreneurs about the Patent Law and Copyright Law and its implications to protect their new and innovative products.

Mr. Sayeeful Islam and Mr. Omar Faruque, Directors DCCI also spoke on the occasion while Mr. Salahuddin Abdullah, Convenor, Intellectual Property Rights Standing Committee & Ms Ferdaus Ara Begum, Additional Secretary (R&P), DCCI acted as resource persons.

2. Proceedings of the Workshop

The program was commenced with the recitation from the Holy Quran.

Mr. Fazle R. M. Hasan, FCA, President, DCCI in his speech mentioned that women entrepreneurs need to aware about the protection of their innovation. He said developed countries enacted laws to protect their intellectual properties as and when they feel the need. Developing countries also take advantages of it and adopted patent legislation as per their requirement. As an LDC we lag much behind to protect our intellectual capabilities. He recommended for establishing a Patent Facilitating Centre in line with the nature of India to help entrepreneurs. He also recommended for restructuring the required offices and develop institutions with an special emphasize on skill development in this sector.

Mr. Sayeeful Islam, Director, DCCI highlighted the importance of the patent and copy right law and emphasized its implications on products like pharmaceuticals, healthcare and food related products. He mentioned that the complexities of overall process should be simplified and clear to all. He said that LDCs are quite hesitant whether this law will be helpful for the entrepreneurs or not. He recommended for establishing a copy right / patent cell in the DCCI to help the entrepreneurs.

The participants who came from different discipline lauded the effort of CIPE and DCCI for arranging such workshop, which is timely, as the new economic order as prescribed by WTO is knocking at our door. Moreover this is the first workshop of women entrepreneurs on the subject, which is a bit new and bold departure from traditional workshops.

The participants opined that, so long they were not aware about the importance of patent law and copyrights as they are now aware. They should follow this simple path and definitely their market will be expanded both geographically and volume of business. They requested CIPE to arrange more such workshops so that other entrepreneurs, who are in different parts of the country can be enriched with this knowledge.

2.1 Keynote Paper Presentation

The keynote papers prepared by Mr. Salahuddin Abdullah and Ms. Ferdaus Ara Begum at placed at Annexes "A" and "B" respectively.

The keynote speakers highlighted the procedural issues cost of patent rights and presented examples of the comparative scenarios of the similarly- placed countries so that Bangladesh can take benefit out of it.

Mr. Salahuddin Abdullah recommended for enriching the patent library of Bangladesh. He informed that entrepreneurs may like to visit the patent library of patent and design office of Ministry of Industries to see different patents and process of new products to take benefit out of it. Mr. M. Abu Horaira, Vice President, DCCI and DCCI Directors were also present in the workshop.

2.2 Open Discussion

In the open session, different speakers freely discussed their problems.

Mrs. Ruby Ali Damal, owner of an herbal pharmaceutical unit, told that registration is time consuming, costly and so long nobody could give them appropriate guidance. As a result the entrepreneurs specially the women entrepreneurs are running from pillar to post for trade marks registration.

Mrs. Umme Habiba, Manager, BSCIC, the govt. organization responsible for promotion and development of SME told that the women entrepreneurs are suffering due to their lack of knowledge and approach. However, the things are being streamlined and some of the organizations like Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution are being restructured.

Mrs. Suraya Alam, a dressmaking and handicraft business entrepreneurs wanted to know how to protect their design innovated by her enterprise.

Advocate M. Rezuanul Haque, a leading practitioner in Intellectual Property Rights Matters, and Advocate, Supreme Court told the laws and acts related to IPR are old and outdated. Though some amendment have been made, still more amendments are necessary to suit the need of the hour.

Mollah Shahidul Haque, Consultant and Mr. A.K.M. Nawsherul Alam, Project Coordinator, DCCI-CIPE/ERRA Project worked as facilitators in the workshop.

3. Recommendations

After long, elaborate and lively discussion the workshop made the following recommendations:

1. More workshops should be arranged in different places of the country to make the entrepreneurs aware about the importance of patent law/copyrights. 2. Workshop may also be arranged trade-wise, to give the entrepreneurs more service in a better way. 3. Copyright/trade mark law should be made more simple, so that the SME can reap more harvest from it. 4. The service providers should give more attention to patent and copyright registration by SME units. 5. Necessary amendments should be made in copyright/patent laws to meet the global challenges 6. The organizational capacity of the patent law/ copyright enforcement office should be manned by professional and its number should be increased both qualitatively and quantitatively. 7. In the universities intellectual property right should be introduced in the course curriculum of business studies. 8. DCCI should have a separate cell to provide information in this respect.

Workshop on Letters of Credit for Export and Import Business