This led to only 7% female entrepreneurs in the country applied for loans under the stimulus package announced for women-run CMSMEs, the CPD study found. Of the 70 female entrepreneurs surveyed from 34 districts across the country, 58.6% reported no knowledge of the stimulus package announced by the government. The government’s Covid-19 liquidity support and fiscal stimulus packages were not designed with women in mind, she further said. CPD recommended massive public awareness regarding financial support, child marriage, female empowerment, and the use of technology while demanding transparency and accountability in terms of Covid-19 support disbursement. Selim RF Hussain, managing director and CEO of Brac Bank, stated that banks should also focus on investing in non-financial advisory services for women entrepreneurs.

Source: Dhaka Tribune April 15, 2021 13:25 UTC