The Official Journey of Bangladesh Women Trade & Business Council (BWTBC)

Jannatul Ferdous: A Vision Rooted in Representation and Global Reach

President, BWTBC

For Jannatul Ferdous, leadership begins with representation. Her vision was born from years of observing how capable, innovative, and resilient women entrepreneurs often remained underrepresented in trade platforms, export ecosystems, and decision-making spaces.

As President of BWTBC, she envisions a future where:

• Women-led enterprises are visible, valued, and globally competitive
• Trade policies are inclusive and responsive to women entrepreneurs
• Bangladeshi women confidently lead cross-border trade, exports, and investments

Her leadership philosophy is clear—economic empowerment is not charity; it is strategy. Under her guidance, BWTBC is designed as an institution that moves beyond inspiration into execution, creating real market access, policy dialogue, and international connectivity for women in business.

She believes that when women lead trade, they don’t just grow businesses—they strengthen families, communities, and the national economy.

Tahira Akter Hira: Turning Vision into Structure and Sustainability

General Secretary, BWTBC

If vision sets direction, execution builds legacy. Tahira Akter Hira, as General Secretary, embodies the operational strength and strategic discipline that transforms ambition into sustainable impact.

Her vision focuses on:

• Building a strong institutional foundation for BWTBC
• Ensuring transparency, governance, and member-driven growth
• Creating scalable programs that support women from startup to export-ready stages

She believes that empowerment must be systematic, measurable, and inclusive. Through structured initiatives, partnerships, and member engagement, she works to ensure that BWTBC is not just a council—but a reliable ecosystem for women entrepreneurs across Bangladesh.

Her leadership emphasizes collaboration over competition and long-term capacity over short-term visibility.

A Shared Vision: From Local Strength to Global Influence

What unites Jannatul Ferdous and Tahira Akter Hira is a shared conviction that women’s economic leadership is essential to Bangladesh’s future. Together, they envision BWTBC as:

• A national voice for women in trade and business
• A bridge between women entrepreneurs and global markets
• A trusted partner for government, chambers, and international organizations
• A catalyst for inclusive, export-led growth

Their leadership marks a shift—from isolated success stories to collective progress, from informal participation to institutional power.

The Road Ahead

With the official journey of BWTBC beginning in October 2025, the vision of its leadership is already shaping a new narrative—one where Bangladeshi women are not just participating in the economy, but designing its future.

This is more than a council. This is a movement—led by vision, built with purpose, and driven by women.

Q1: Can you tell us about the official launch of the Bangladesh Women Trade & Business Council (BWTBC)?

Answer: The Bangladesh Women Trade & Business Council (BWTBC) officially began its journey in October 2025 with a clear and ambitious vision—to strengthen the participation, leadership, and global integration of Bangladeshi women in trade, business, and entrepreneurship. The launch marks a strategic step toward institutionalizing women-led economic development in Bangladesh, aligned with both national priorities and global trade dynamics.

Q2: What inspired the formation of BWTBC?

Answer: BWTBC was formed in response to a growing realization that while Bangladeshi women are actively contributing to SMEs, exports, startups, and services, they often lack structured representation, policy advocacy, and global trade access. The Council was inspired by the need to create a dedicated national platform that connects women entrepreneurs with markets, finance, policy stakeholders, and international trade networks.

Q3: What are the core objectives of BWTBC?

Answer: The core objectives of BWTBC include:

• Promoting women-led businesses in domestic and international markets
• Supporting women entrepreneurs with trade facilitation, compliance, and capacity building
• Advocating for gender-inclusive trade and business policies
• Creating cross-border business, investment, and export opportunities
• Building a strong national and global network of women business leaders

Q4: How does BWTBC differentiate itself from other business platforms?

Answer: BWTBC is uniquely positioned as a trade-focused and policy-oriented council rather than just a networking body. It works at the intersection of business, trade diplomacy, investment readiness, and women’s economic leadership. From export readiness programs to international trade delegations and strategic MoUs, BWTBC aims to provide real, measurable outcomes for women in business.

Q5: What key initiatives are planned following the October 2025 launch?

Answer: Following its official start, BWTBC plans to roll out:

• Women-focused trade & export readiness programs
• SME and startup acceleration support for women founders
• National and international business matchmaking sessions
• Policy dialogues with government and trade bodies
• Participation in global expos, summits, and trade missions
• Research and reports on women’s contribution to Bangladesh’s economy

Q6: How will BWTBC contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth?

Answer: Women’s economic participation is a powerful growth engine. By enabling women entrepreneurs to scale, export, and attract investment, BWTBC directly contributes to job creation, export diversification, and inclusive GDP growth. The Council also aligns with Bangladesh’s long-term development goals, including Vision 2041 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Q7: Who can become part of BWTBC?

Answer: BWTBC welcomes:

• Women entrepreneurs and business owners
• Women-led SMEs and startups
• Corporate leaders and professionals
• Trade experts, consultants, and investors
• Institutions and organizations supporting women’s economic empowerment

Membership is designed to be inclusive, impactful, and growth-oriented.

Q8: What message does BWTBC want to send through its official journey?

Answer: The official journey of BWTBC sends a strong message: Women are not just participants in the economy—they are leaders, exporters, investors, and policy influencers. BWTBC stands committed to transforming potential into power and ambition into global business success.

Closing Note: With its official journey starting in October 2025, the Bangladesh Women Trade & Business Council (BWTBC) is set to become a defining institution for women-led trade and business in Bangladesh—connecting local ambition with global opportunity.