Support services for rural women micro-entrepreneurs in Bangladesh: a sectoral comparison

Introduction: Existing studies emphasize microcredit's role in women's entrepreneurship but often overlook other forms of support such as training and support services influencing sustainability and income growth. Furthermore, research exploring sectoral differences in the effects of these types of assistance has been insufficient. This paper analyzes the effects of training and support services on women's micro-enterprises in rural Bangladesh and compares the differential effects in three sectors. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used. A field survey was conducted with 170 randomly selected women entrepreneurs in the Tangail District: 63 in tailoring, 73 in embroidery, and 34 in basket-weaving. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were used to identify support services that are important in each of the sectors. In-depth interviews were also carried out with 20 women entrepreneurs, and nine key informant interviews were organized with local officials and NGO representatives to gain insights into the implementation and roles of support services. Results: While training and support services enhance enterprise income, their effects vary by sector, likely due to differences in business operations, skill requirements, and resource dependence. Businesses in the tailoring sector benefit from skills-based training, while those in basket weaving gain from market access support. Sectoral differences were also found in how external factors affect financial performance, such as education, family support, and experience. These findings highlight a need for sector-specific strategies to empower rural women entrepreneurs.