Women Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (WEAB) was established in year 2000, by a select group of businesswomen. Their aim was to create a platform to help business women establish themselves in a competitive field, dominated by men.
The main object of WEAB was to develop a support system for women entrepreneur to not only improve the quality of their products, to meet the changing market demands, but also to impart training on technical know how, design development and to create marketing links for their products.
In a very short time WEAB was not only firmly established in Dhaka, drawing large number of members, but rapidly branching out all over Bangladesh, including North Bengal.
Training programmes are regularly organized for WEAB members in various fields ranging from food processing, textile designing and quality development, production of new and innovative handicrafts to export-import, indenting, even running of petrol pumps. Traditionally women of Bangladesh were mostly engaged in agro based business like cottage craft, handicraft, stitching and embroidery, cane and bamboo weaving poultry and dairy farming. Now however, more, and more women are entering production lines, like production and manufacturing of garments, of artificial jewelry, supplying dry and fresh flowers to hotels and restaurants, food catering on large scale, establishing educational institutions and setting up trendy fashion houses. WEAB has created a platform for women entrepreneur to meet and network for their mutual benefit.
WEAB organizes seminars, workshops and symposiums where business women, small, medium and large, meet and benefit through exchange and sharing of ideas and experiences. WEAB facilitates participation of entrepreneur to national and international trade fairs and exhibitions where members acquire newer and better ideas and gain immensely from the exposure. Since inception WEAB members have gained market access in the U.S.SA., U.K, Canada, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Arab and other countries.
The shy and hesitant women who joined WEAB five years ago are truly transformed now. They walk with sure steps, they travel the world with heads held high. They have established their status in their homes, the society, and they make valuable contribution to the country.
Establish a non-profit trade organization under the aegis of The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) registered with the Ministry of Commerce, to bring together women entrepreneur of Bangladesh under one umbrella.
Help women entrepreneur by identifying weakness and problems faced by them, and find solutions to overcome these.
Provide technical training in fields like skill development, quality and design development, book keeping and help find market outlets for women entrepreneur.
Organize workshops, seminars, symposiums and round tables where women entrepreneur can get together to exchange ideas and expand their business horizon.
Eliminate gender discrimination in the business field.
Facilitate loan provision for needy women entrepreneur though bank.
Help develop women run businesses with special focus on small and medium enterprises.
Find market linkage for women producers both in the country and abroad.
Enhance social position of women, inspire other women to enter the entrepreneurial field, and stem social abuse and exploitation of women.
We stand together across sectors, regions and backgrounds
Long-term impact over short-term gains for our members
Embracing new ideas, technologies, and business models
Transparent, accountable, and ethically governed
President & Founder
Vice President, Policy
Director, Programmes