Dhaka, Nov 17 (V7N) - Megan Bouldin, Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Dhaka, emphasized the critical role women play in driving Bangladesh’s economic development. She congratulated the graduates of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program during a celebration event on Sunday.

“You are paving the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs and proving that women have a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s economic progress,” said Bouldin, commending the 90 aspiring women entrepreneurs who completed the program.

The US Embassy, in collaboration with Brac University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), honored these entrepreneurs at an event held on the university campus in Badda.

Highlighting the broader impact of the initiative, Bouldin stated, “The AWE program is not just about entrepreneurship—it’s about economic empowerment. When women succeed in business, their families, communities, and economies thrive.”

During the event, Bouldin announced an additional $30,000 grant for a business pitch competition involving 140 AWE participants from various cohorts. This initiative will offer multiple $5,000 awards to support entrepreneurial ventures.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of women from diverse regions, including Sylhet, Comilla, Barisal, Khagrachhari, Jessore, Chittagong, and Dhaka. Six outstanding participants were recognized for their exceptional business proposals.

The event also featured a mini-fair and exhibition where participants showcased and sold their products, reflecting the skills they acquired through the program.

The AWE program, a global initiative by the US Department of State, equips women with essential business knowledge and skills. Delivered in partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, the program uses the DreamBuilder platform for online learning and soft-skills training.

This year’s cohort, prioritizing women from indigenous, minority, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, completed a three-month course conducted in Bangla by industry experts. The course focused on sustainability, peer learning, and networking, laying a strong foundation for business growth.

The AWE initiative aligns with the US National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, aiming to foster women’s full economic participation and create opportunities for underrepresented groups. The partnership between the US Embassy and Brac University reflects a commitment to sustainable programs that support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh.

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