A three-day international trade fair showcasing the skills and creativity of women entrepreneurs began on Thursday at the Gulshan Shooting Club in the capital.

Organised by the Women Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (WEAB), the event aims to promote economic empowerment and features participants from Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.

The Federation Of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) former president Abdul Awal Mintoo inaugurated the fair, with WEAB president Nasreen Fatema Awal also present at the opening ceremony.

According to organisers, the event had been scheduled ahead of International Women’s Day as a tribute to women’s contributions to the July uprisings.

The fair will continue until 8 March and will remain open to the public daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm.

The exhibition showcases a variety of handcrafted products, traditional clothing, designer fabrics, artistic jewellery, and other creative items made by women entrepreneurs.

It provides a platform for women-led businesses to expand their reach and promote their products both locally and internationally.

Speaking as the chief guest, Abdul Awal Mintoo highlighted the significant role women played in the July-August uprisings.

In the current decade, such spontaneous female presence in a movement was unprecedented, he said.

Mintoo said that from leading on the ground to coordinating various programmes, women contributed in every aspect. Their active participation on the streets fuelled the momentum of the movement.

WEAB president Nasreen Fatema Awal said that the association was celebrating its silver jubilee through this event.

Over the past 25 years, WEAB has provided training, mentorship, and financial support to thousands of women entrepreneurs across the country. This fair aims to showcase the achievements and potential of women entrepreneurs both nationally and globally, she said.