(BSS)- Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said the government is taking initiatives to reduce administrative complexities for women entrepreneurs, expand their access to financing and strengthen their representation in policymaking,

"The government is working to make business-related services more accessible to women entrepreneurs through digitalisation and a single-window system," he said.

The minister made the remarks at a meeting with a delegation of the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) at the Industries Ministry this afternoon.

BWCCI President Sangeeta Ahmed led the delegation.

Muktadir said the introduction of the single-window system would enable women entrepreneurs and businesspeople to obtain essential documents, including trade licences, Import Registration Certificates (IRCs) and Export Registration Certificates (ERCs), online.

"Entrepreneurs will be able to apply for these services and pay the prescribed fees from anywhere in the country, and even while staying abroad," he said.

The minister said this would reduce the need for entrepreneurs to visit government offices physically and make it easier for them to complete necessary business formalities.

On financing for the SME sector, the minister said the loan allocation had been increased to Taka 2,000 crore from Taka 300 crore, with the funds to be disbursed at an interest rate of 6 percent.

He also expressed a positive attitude towards restructuring the SME Board and increasing representation of women entrepreneurs in policymaking bodies to ensure greater access to opportunities for them.

During the meeting, BWCCI representatives highlighted several challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including lack of reliable data, complexities in formal business registration and limited coordination at the district level.

They proposed creating a comprehensive database of women entrepreneurs, establishing a central compliance desk and holding regular coordination meetings between central and district-level representatives.

The representatives said there was no comprehensive and specific data on the number of women entrepreneurs operating in different sectors and at different stages of business.

The lack of such data makes it difficult to assess their actual needs, formulate effective policies and deliver need-based support, they said.

They also proposed making it mandatory for district-level women chambers to maintain updated information on entrepreneurs as part of a centralised database.

The BWCCI delegation said women-led businesses often face difficulties in preparing required documents and complying with various rules and regulations to become part of the formal business structure.

They proposed establishing a central compliance desk or integrated service platform to provide guidance and assistance on business registration, required documentation and legal procedures.

The organisation also proposed holding meetings twice a year involving representatives from the central and district levels to bring local-level problems to the attention of the central authorities and facilitate coordinated solutions.

The commerce minister appreciated the alternative service platforms developed to support women entrepreneurs and reiterated the government`s positive stance on expanding their access to business services and financing.

BWCCI Treasurer Shahana Zafreen, Ridma Khan and Ulfat Jahan Moon, among others, attended the meeting.