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BUSINESS IN SYLHET

Rise of a woman entrepreneur

Iqbal Siddiquee, Sylhet
WITH only Tk 2,500 in her pocket and a sewing machine from her sister, Rona Begum began her small business. She had attended a six-month vocational training run by the Department of Youth Development prior to that. Rona's Utsab Tailors TYaining and Sales Centre began its journey in 1997.
Fifteen years later, she now owns a small production house, which is also a wholesale point of boutique and handicraft items in Mirzajangal, Sylhet. The house is popular for its quality and attractive designs.
"In addition to the traditional items, block print work and embroidery is also done at my production house,” said Rona. “Despite serious setbacks in my personal life, I worked very hard to stay afloat.”
“I attended a short training on tailoring at the government Youth Development Centre in 1996-1997 before
launching the venture along with my younger sister.” Unfortunately, her sister passed away soon after. She fended for herself by working at a local diagnostic centre and then at a private medical college, alongside running her training and boutique. She continued with both till 2007.
“I got almost no support from my family initially in running the venture. Instead, I faced objections. But I am happy now that I busy with my business and the atmosphere at home has also fortunately changed," said Rona.
“I ventured into another project a few months ago. Along with a few partners, we opened 'Malabis' in a rented building in the city's busy commercial area of Zindabazar. The boutique offers fotuas, punjabis and other local clothes, including saris, for sale there."
“When I wanted to expand my small business, I received no support from any commercial bank or financial institution. Nobody gave me any hope before I got involved with the Women Business Forum (WBF), Sylhet,” Rona added.
“The Asia Foundation has played a laudable role in organising the WBF, Sylhet, in 2009. They helped us organise ourselves and approach the commercial banks in an organised manner,” said Rona, now a competent and promising entrepreneur. She is also the general secretary of WBF, Sylhet.
In the past 15 years, Rona received much appreciation in her professional career. She received the divisional youth award as 'successfill entrepreneur' in 2005. Her stall 'Utsab' got the second prize at the Meena Mela in Sylhet, organised by Dhaka Ladies Club in 2006.
Rona was also adjudged the 'Best Small Woman Entrepreneur' in the Sylhet division by the Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs Association in 2008.
In 2010-11, Rona trained a group of poor women under the UNDP-monitored slum development programme in Sylhet city. Almost all the trainees are already employed.
She was also awarded the second prize on January 16, 2012, for the Jatiya Juba Padak 2011 at a function in Dhaka. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave out the awards.
Rona said the formation of the WBF under initiatives of the Asia Foundation in 2009 was a great event for the poor and new entrepreneurs of the Sylhet region. Businesses run by women are lagging in the area for social reasons.
“Without this forum, we could not have come in touch with the banks," said Rona. It was Pubali Bank Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Mazumder MP and Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury who took steps three years ago to arrange collateral free loans for SMEs, especially women.
Rona's only son attends college and the daughter goes to school.