They felt that the network would help the women entrepreneurs in the region to share their experiences, improve capacities, and get more information about the market.

The two-day high-profile regional forum on 'Engendering SMEs: Women in Enterprise Development' ended yesterday in the capital.

Some 200 participants were in the regional gender forum that was organised by the SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) -- a multi-donor facility managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Department of Women's Studies, University of Dhaka.

Senior level officials from both the public and private sectors from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Northeast India and leaders of women business organisations participated in the forum.

Experts and resource persons from USA, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland made presentations on the best practices relating to gender and enterprise development.

Leading women entrepreneur Nasreen Awal Mintoo said experiences of the women entrepreneurs are now improving but they were shy before and did not have confidence.

Selima Ahmad, president of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the need for providing training to the women entrepreneurs so that they can do better.

Marlon Lezama, program manager of SEDF, said gender matters because in Bangladesh two-thirds of those who live below the poverty line are females.

He also said women can help SEDF reach its goals to maximise growth and productivity of enterprises in the SME sector.

Monowara Hakim Ali, president of Chittagong Women Entrepreneurs, said women can really contribute to the economic development and they need to overcome the problems they are facing in the business activities.

The findings of a study commissioned by SEDF were presented at the forum.