Women entrepreneurs constitute less than 10% of the total business entrepreneurs in Bangladesh whereas women in advanced market

economies own more than 25% of all businesses. It is heartening note that despite many barriers, a new womens entrepreneur class has risen in the country taking on the challenge to work in a male-dominated, competitive and complex economic and business environment. Not only have their entrepreneurship improved their living conditions and earned more respect in the family and the society, but they are also contributing to business and export growth, supplies, employment generation, productivity and skills development of Bangladesh. A recent United Nations report concluded that economic development is closely related to the advancement of women. Although the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees all citizens equal rights, in reality, the society is highly stratified and services are rendered on the basis of class, gender location, etc., which often results in disparities. Seventy percent (70%) of the women entrepreneurs are micro and rural based. They are not given proper opportunity for expansion. On the other hand, urban educated women already engaged in micro and small businesses, as well as export-oriented enterprises are receiving comparatively less attention. As a result, they are unable to expand their operations due to lack of technological support and expertise, fund constraints, marketing techniques, and detachment from the international business arena, especially in the context of todays globalization and rapidly growing business world. After the financial crisis in Asia, the governments of many countries in Asia has placed emphasis on SMEs led by women entrepreneurs, which they believe will be the new thrust for economic growth in the future. If adequate support can be provided, these small scale business entrepreneurs would be able to generate employment and render training to women of rural and slum areas. All these can help them to step into new ventures of their own. In order to actively pursue the advancement of women, it is required to empower, upgrade and uplift the women entrepreneurs in both rural and urban sectors. Special priority should be given to the poor rural women. In new ventures, modern technology can be greatly helpful in facing the competitive challenge of the age. Since technology is a strategic variable in the modern business paradigm, women empowerment with technology will give rise to economic advancement. A recent survey data of BBS revealed that women own only 2.8% of all enterprises outside agriculture in Bangladesh. This figure exposed that while progress is being made towards the equality of women and men in the decision-making level women remain under-represented. (Akbory, Yeameen, 2008) 5.1 History of Women Entrepreneurship Development in Bangladesh It is said that entrepreneurs are persons who bring about phenomenal economic changes, through their risk taking innovativeness and constant agility. Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs need to have an extra quality in the form of dogged determination and resilience since this is greatly needed to fight with adverse situations which seem to confront female entrepreneurs rather than their male counterparts in the present-day context. Women in business in Bangladesh require more efforts than men to gain a foothold as economic change agents. Sustained efforts are needed to enhance the capability of women entrepreneurs as well as to create conditions for entrepreneurship to succeed in terms of setting up and maintaining productive operations. Many organizations have assisted in the formation of women entrepreneurs. WEDP of BSCIC under its project (1997-2002) has identified 90,661 women

entrepreneurs, developed 73,169, disbursed BDT 5,711.40 lac to 73,169 women and provided skill development training to 4,302 and management training to 32,995 women entrepreneurs. 5.2 Women Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh The types of enterprises operated by women may be placed under following categories: (i) Household or family trade (Cottage Enterprise or Industry), (ii) Small Enterprise or Industry (iii) Medium Enterprise or Industry In general, the degree of TCA (Technology Content Added) of Women SMEs is low. An important element of Women SMEs is that the technologies or processes used are often relatively simple. These types of business include food processing, tailoring, hot gram (chanachur) production, grocery stores, poultry farm, cow rearing, sweetmeat shop, restaurants etc. Required skills for these kinds of SMEs are generally picked up through observation and experience. The training facilities offered both by the government, private organizations, NGOs, etc., can increase their efficiency and competence especially in rural areas. 5.3 Women Entrepreneurship in Urban Areas Today in addition to the traditional women sectors like food, beauty, health, fashion, animal husbandry, boutiques, handicraft and tailoring, women have entered into broader areas such as garments, shipping, engineering, advertising travel agencies, interior decoration, IT, agro-industry, educational institutions, restaurants etc. With trade liberalization, new market opportunities will come up. Thus diversification will be essential for women entrepreneurs in order to make best use of these opportunities. 5.4 Women Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas Bangladesh has shown success in the arena of the rural women entrepreneurs operating micro enterprises. Women in Bangladesh have the ability to flourish and contribute to society if they are given the opportunity. It has observed that the rural and urban women entrepreneurs are in dire need of many types of assistance. This assistance should revolve mainly around product development, training, business incubation and marketing, etc. The driving force behind this are the women, who, given the opportunity, may prove to be dynamic, hard working and successful. Women SMEs, with their small size, lack of skill and absence of technology development have disadvantages in competing with large firms in the local & global sphere. For them, technology up gradation can accelerate growth and sustainability. This study provides the conceptual setting as to how technology can spur growth of SMEs especially belonging to women entrepreneurs. It also highlights the key elements required for technology adoption, transfer and adaptation process for Women SMEs.