Sahasika 4.0 honours women entrepreneurs in Dhaka
The "Sahasika 4.0 Women Entrepreneur Award 2026" was held on 8 March 2026 at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden to recognise successful and emerging women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
Organised under the slogan "Break the barriers…", the event brought together more than 150 women entrepreneurs from across the country. This year, eight women entrepreneurs were honoured in eight categories: agriculture and safe food, information technology, skill development, social enterprise, tourism, fashion and apparel, fitness, and wellness.
The awards recognised excellence in business leadership, innovation, employment generation and contribution to the national economy.
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Nazmun Nahar, widely known as the "Bangladeshi Flag Girl" for travelling to 184 countries, received the Sahasika Special Award.
Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain MP, adviser for social welfare and women and children affairs, attended as chief guest. Bobby Hajjaj MP, state minister for primary and mass education, was the keynote speaker.
Among the distinguished guests were Nurun Nahar, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank; Md Rezaul Karim, additional inspector general of Bangladesh Police; and Mahidur Rahman, adviser to the BNP chairperson, who spoke about the importance of women's entrepreneurship.
The programme was chaired by Md Amjad Hossain Khan, executive director (grade-1) of Bangladesh Bank and adviser to the Sahasika initiative. The welcome address was delivered by Nazmul Huda, chief coordinator of Sahasika.
Earlier, a panel discussion titled "Stories behind the business: strategies and skills for sustainable growth" was held on entrepreneurship development and the practical aspects of running sustainable businesses.
The panel featured Dr Suchita Sharmin, professor of development studies at the University of Dhaka; Dr Afroja Parvin, executive director of Nari Unnayan Shakti; Zeeshan Kingshuk Haque, chief communication officer of United Commercial Bank PLC; and Md Shouvikur Rahman, founder of ICT Care and business coach. The session was moderated by Subah Afrin, local president of JCI Dhaka West and vice-president of Citibank N A.
Sahasika, an entrepreneurship development initiative of Shopnoshilon, is being implemented by Women and E-Commerce Trust, JCI Dhaka West, E-Club Women's Forum, Career Care and ICT Care. The Business Standard Graduate was the media and broadcasting partner of the event.
