Speakers at an event yesterday underscored the need for proactive involvement of more women in leadership in order to take local and global challenges for the development and prosperity of Bangladesh.

They were participating at a speed debate program between NCCI members and Women Leaders organized by the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bangladesh (NCCI) at Ericsson Bangladesh office.

The Speed Debate was split into three sessions, each focusing four key topics related to women affairs and business including Leaders: How to strengthen women leadership from local to global?, Workers: What are the key factors to build a loyal female workforce?, Business Partners: Are women entrepreneurs’ better business partners? Changing Perceptions: Is the new media empowering women?

The main objective of the event was to identify the challenges and opportunities for Women in various fields through a rich discussion and knowledge sharing with the Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

This event has helped showcase women’s entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and the crucial role women can play in developing the prosperity of this country, says Ambassador Ragne Birte Lund of Norway. “Working women have been the key to success in the Scandinavian countries. Female participation helps our economy, birth rates and budgets,” she says adding that “I encourage the Nordic Chamber to continue the engagement with women in business in Bangladesh and with private sector in making women move from the local to the global arena.”

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury in her speech says Bangladeshi women possess huge competence and skill sets and capable of changing the corporate and business landscape of the country. She said the government has already taken various steps for the development of women and their endeavors which will encourage women entrepreneurship.

Rokia Afzal Rahman, President of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs says, Women in Bangladesh, in the past, shown good business acumen, proved to be good reliable borrowers. Studies have shown businesswomen’s success has brought about a very positive socio-economic change in the country. So far, women entrepreneurs have shown their entrepreneurial skills through their own basic knowledge and without technological support.

“Today to move up the ladder to big, diversified businesses, women will need technology and matchmaking with entrepreneurs internationally,” she adds.

The social systems and business models found in the Nordic countries have empowered women with equal opportunities to work, lead and create new businesses, says NCCI President Arild Klokkerhaug.

“This has proven so successful that Nordic countries are among the most competitive and affluent nations globally. Bangladesh is rapidly becoming an attractive business destination, much due to the contribution of its female population,” Arild adds.

The event was attended among others by Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury – State Minister for Women and Children Affairs, Norwegian Ambassador Ragne Birte Lund, Swedish Ambassador Anneli Lindahl Kenny, Danish Ambassador Svend Olling, Hilde Tonne – Vice President of Telenor Asia, Rokia Rahman – President of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, Farhana Naaz Ahmed – President of Dhaka Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Prof. Dr. Hosne Ara Begum – Executive Director of TMSS, Angela Gomes – Founder of Bachte Shekha, Dr. Fahmida Khatun – Head of Research at Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Per-Henrik Nielsen – Managing Director of Ericsson Bangladesh and various leading entrepreneurs from the business community.

The program was also attended by NCCI members supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy.