"Limited access to market and technology, poor training and business development services and gender biased inherent rules are among other hindrances to developing women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh," Butenis said addressing a seminar on 'Fair Participation and Marketing' at the sideline of the 3rd Asian Women Entrepreneur Eid Fair 2006 as chief guest.

The fair entered its second day yesterday. Held at the National Shooting Federation auditorium at Gulshan, it will continue until October 6.

Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (Weab) and Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka are jointly organising the fair with Bank Alfalah Limited being the lead sponsor and JOBS Bangladesh the supporter.

The ambassador said US Agency for International Development and Government of Bangladesh at the end of this calendar year will launch a new project named 'Poverty Reduction by Increasing Competitiveness of the Enterprises' to improve integration of the small and medium enterprises, including women entrepreneurs, in some selected areas.

The project will help the businesswomen improve their performances in order to effectively compete in the market, she added.

Butenis said the women entrepreneurs gather at the fair to promote regional cooperation and see how important it is to allow women to overcome obstacles to their proper participation in the economy.

Weab president Nasreen Awal Mintooo presided over the seminar where Pakistan High Commissioner Alamgir Babar and Commercial Secretary Roubina Taufiq Shah of the high commission spoke.

Nasreen said her association has initiated a move to establish a fully women-run commercial bank in the country to provide dedicated service to the women entrepreneurs.

She also informed the seminar that the Weab is working to establish a training centre for developing skills of the youth women.

Two other seminars on 'Finance and Managing Growth', and 'Promoting Regional Women Entrepreneurship' will be held tomorrow and Thursday.