Government to initiate project for creating women ICT entrepreneurs


FE Team | Published: February 24, 2018 17:05:45 | Updated: February 25, 2018 18:36:54


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The government has designed a project to create more female entrepreneurs in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. 

The 'She Power Project’, developed under the guidance and financing of the ICT division, will provide women with training and other start-up supports.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak revealed this information to state-owned BSS in an interview on Saturday.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on May 2, 2017 approved the project involving an estimated cost of Tk 818.9 million.

"Initially the project will be implemented from March to November this year, but the government has a plan to expand it in future so more women can be involved in the ICT sector," Palak said.

The project is designed to provide necessary trainings to 10,500 women initially in order to achieve three primary goals, said Project Director Solaiman Mondol. 

The goals include creating 4000 women entrepreneurs, developing skill of another 4000 women in providing internet-based services and engaging 2500 women in call centres, he explained.

Women aged between 18 and 40, have basic knowledge in ICT and can read and write English, will be eligible for participate in the project.

Trainings will be given in 21 upazilas across the country.

Mondol said currently they are selecting vendors who will be providing trainings on on websites, graphic design, data entry, software development, mobile app development and Google translation.

The selection of the vendors will be completed by February.

All participants will have to go through a three-month training programme, followed by two months of internship.

The participants in all the three training programmes will get internship for two months with an allowance of Tk 3,000 to 4,000 per month.

On completion of internships, they will be placed at related local organisations for gathering practical experience before starting their own business and funded with Tk 20,000 to buy personal computers.

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