DBCCI holds women’s business meet marking International Women’s Day
The Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DBCCI) organised a seminar and networking event titled “Orange Meets Green: DBCCI Women’s Business Meet 2026 - Give to Gain” on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Held in a hybrid format at Aloki Convention Hall in Dhaka, the programme brought together women entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals from Bangladesh and the Netherlands to exchange ideas, build networks and explore future business collaborations.
The theme “Orange Meets Green” symbolised the Netherlands’ iconic colour orange and Bangladesh’s green potential, highlighting opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade and investment through greater participation of women entrepreneurs.
In his keynote speech, DBCCI President Md Shakawat Hossain Mamun, also vice chairman of Viyellatex Group, highlighted the growing role of women in trade and entrepreneurship and outlined the chamber’s vision for enhancing Bangladesh-Netherlands trade cooperation.
Rahima Begum, additional secretary of the Finance Division, attended the programme as chief guest and emphasised the contribution of women entrepreneurs to Bangladesh’s economic development and the government’s initiatives to support women-led enterprises.
Hasan Abdullah Towhid, chargé d’affaires of the Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague, and Sandra Brandenburg, co-founder of Handelsroute.nl and Tribe of Noise in Amsterdam, joined the event virtually and shared perspectives on strengthening international collaboration.
The welcome address was delivered by Meherun N. Islam, vice president of DBCCI and president and group managing director of CEMS Global Ltd., who stressed the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs and increasing their participation in international trade.
Sessions on mental health and workplace well-being were conducted by Professor Zobeda Khatun, former chairman of the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Dhaka, and Rehana Akter Ruma, counsellor at Quantum Foundation.
Vidya Amrit Khan, vice president of BGMEA and deputy managing director of Desh Garments Ltd., also spoke on the role of women in driving inclusive economic growth.
During the event, three women entrepreneurs - Moriam Nargis Eka of Twinkle Crafts, Sarmin Aktar of Soya Food Plus and Mahlayine Rakhine of FALONG ZEE - were honoured for their contributions.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Kyaw Sein Thay (Dolly), chairperson of the DBCCI Women Committee and managing director of Cloths R Us Ltd., followed by a celebration of International Women’s Day, a dua and an iftar gathering.
