At a policy seminar in Dhaka, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter called for international and government-backed climate risk funds to provide additional financing for entrepreneurs, particularly women leading environmentally sustainable businesses. Speaking at the event titled ‘Voices for Change: Putting Climate Action, Women Entrepreneurs and SMEs in Bangladesh’s Public Policy,’ she emphasized that empowering women in business should focus on visibility and opportunity, not just numbers. Akhter highlighted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the largest source of employment creation in Bangladesh, with 50–60% potential for women’s participation. She noted that women have a proven record of loan repayment, urging financial institutions to expand credit access for them. Despite government initiatives through Bangladesh Bank and the SME Foundation, she said opportunities remain limited for women, who make up 51% of the population. She also warned that climate change poses daily threats to Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sectors, urging policy alignment to reduce methane emissions and strengthen women’s roles in climate-resilient economic growth.
মৎস্য ও প্রাণিসম্পদ উপদেষ্টা ফরিদা আখতার বলেছেন, আন্তর্জাতিকভাবে সরকারি পর্যায়ে ঝুঁকি মোকাবিলার তহবিল থেকে জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনজনিত ঝুঁকি বিবেচনায় নারী উদ্যোক্তাসহ সব উদ্যোক্তার জন্য অতিরিক্ত অর্থায়ন নিশ্চিত করা প্রয়োজন। বিশেষ করে যারা জলবায়ুকে মাথায় রেখে
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