Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) and Eastern Bank Ltd Tuesday awarded eight women entrepreneurs and two media people for outstanding contribution in the development of women entrepreneurs in the country.

An award giving ceremony titled 'BWCCI-EBL Progressive Award 2011-12' was organized in cooperation with Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) at Diploma Engineer's Institute in the city.

Commerce minister Ghulam Muhammed Quader handed over the awards being present as the Chief Guest while Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director, Eastern Bank Limited was present as the Guest of Honor.

Selima Ahmad, President of Bangladesh Women chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) chaired the program. EBL's SME head Khurshed Alam and BWCCI's Senior Vice President Sangita Ahmed were also present on the occasion.

This year seven women entrepreneurs from seven divisions were awarded by BWCCI for their significant achievement in business.

They were -- Masuma Khanom from Barisal, Kaniz Fatema Ahmed from Chittagong, Kamrun Nahar Anu from Dhaka, Monowara Khatun from Khulna, Tahrima Begum from Rajshahi, Fatima Iasmin Ira from Rangpur and Minara Begum from Sylhet.

Shahana Kader, selected from Eastern Bank Limited's (EBL) pool of clients was also awarded for the outstanding accomplishments in the trade arena.

Two media representatives also received award this year for their contributions towards women entrepreneurship development in country. They are Golam Kadir Rabu, Staff reporter of ATN Bangla News in electronic category and Farzana Rashid Laboni, Staff reporter of the Daily Kaler Kantho in print media category. GM Quader handed over the winners a crest, a certificate and a prize money of Tk 10,000.

Congratulating all the winners, the minister said that BWCCI is successfully contributing towards women entrepreneurship development of the country which is evident from the day's program.

Despite many barriers, women have demonstrated their abilities in all sectors of business through their persistent efforts.

Since 2011, BWCCI has taken an initiative to honor and recognise those women entrepreneurs who have achieved significant success in the field of small businesses and representatives from the print and electronic media for their noteworthy contribution towards the development of women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh.