DHAKA, April 25, 2026 (BSS) - The Women Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (WEAB) has proposed the formation of a special fund, tax rebate, and soft-term loans in the upcoming national budget for FY27 to support women entrepreneurs, expand investment, generate employments, and ensure inclusive economic growth in the country.

The proposals were presented by WEAB President Nasreen Fatema Awal at a pre-budget discussion held today at the conference room of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in the capital.

Nasreen Fatema said women entrepreneurs are making significant contributions to Bangladesh’s economy. “However, they continue to face multiple challenges due to limited access to finance, market entry barriers, tax structure complexities, technological constraints, and inadequate institutional support,” she added.

Expressing optimism about the current government’s women-friendly stance, the organization also hoped that effective measures would be taken to improve the business environment for women entrepreneurs.

Key proposals include - the establishment and allocation of a dedicated fund for business expansion, special incentives for women-led startups and cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs), and targeted support programs for rural and marginal women entrepreneurs. The association also proposed providing soft-term loans with tenures of 5 to 10 years for startup women entrepreneurs.

Additionally, WEAB recommended enhanced tax rebates for women-owned businesses, special income tax exemptions up to a certain turnover threshold, and reduced fees for VAT registration, trade licenses, and company registration. It also called for reserving a specific portion of government procurement for women entrepreneurs.

The proposals also include - setting up an e-commerce and digital marketing support fund, expanding opportunities for digital skills, financial literacy, and business management training, and introducing grants or matching grant facilities for technology adoption. 

The organization also urged effective implementation of the Women Entrepreneurship Development Policy, establishment of a budget monitoring framework, introduction of a dedicated SME credit guarantee scheme, and provision of interest subsidies on loans.

WEAB proposed raising the tax-free income ceiling for women to Tk 600,000 and offering VAT exemptions on products produced by women entrepreneurs, such as handicrafts, processed foods, and service-sector outputs.

It also called for expanding the number of women-owned export-oriented industries by providing all types of fiscal facilities, simplifying procedures to access such benefits, and establishing separate VAT commissionerates and income tax zones for women entrepreneurs.

Presiding over the meeting, NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan assured that steps would be taken to introduce simplified tax systems for women entrepreneurs, streamline VAT processes, expand online services, and strengthen free training programs.

“Women’s participation in the mainstream economy is essential for national development and economic progress,” he said noting that sustainable growth cannot be achieved without engaging a significant portion of the population.

The NBR chairman announced that the revenue board will provide free training on income tax, VAT, and customs for women entrepreneurs through both online and in-person formats.

He also urged women entrepreneur organizations to prepare a training calendar for the July–December period and thus coordinate with the NBR accordingly.