WCCI-KP govt for promotion of female entrepreneurship

Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) in collaboration with KP government has set up a board for promotion of female entrepreneurship in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"We have jointly set up a board with Secretary Industry as its head to promote businesses of female folk and resolve the problems they are facing in continuation of entrepreneurship," said MNA Sajida Zulfiqar, Founder President of WCCI and Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Addressing a press conference here at WCCI office, Sajida Zulfiqar said the board members would be secretaries of different government departments and leading business women of KP who will chalk out policies for promotion of business by female in the province.

The Women Chamber of KP, will continue its strenuous efforts for promotion of women entrepreneurship in the province by providing maximum facilities to business women to flourish and grow, she added. Prominent business women including Nasira Lughmani, President WCCI, former President WCCI, Ilyas Bilour, SVP WCCI, Shamama Arbab and others were also present on the occasion.

Sajida Zulfiqar said WCCI has planned numerous programmes for promotion of female entrepreneurship and in this regard a convention of business women will be held in Peshawar on February 16 and 17. In the convention, participants would be briefed about promotion of business, new business trend and approach methods of displaying products in national as well as international markets.

She said after holding of convention, the WCCI will organize an exhibition in Peshawar where business women from across the KP would be provided an opportunity to participate and display their products free of cost. We will provide stalls to business women in the exhibition free of cost and anyone can avail from the facility, she added. She said female from FATA will also be provided opportunity to take benefit of convention and exhibition.

Similarly an international exhibition will also be arranged in Islamabad where 50 percent stalls will be provided free of cost to business women of KP, she added. Sajida said female have equal potential of supporting their families by making an honorable earning, but the only thing they need is support of family, concerned department and congenial work environment. There is a lot of talent and if proper guidance and support is provided, our women folk can contribute a lot in improving the economy of the province badly affected due to decade long war against terrorism, she remarked. She said WCCI was set up in the year 2009 and within few years we have the membership strength of 300 while a lot of more are applying to become member.Sajida Zulfiqar also demanded of government departments dealing in imparting of skill training including SMEDA, AHAN, TEVTA to contact WCCI for providing skill training and guidance to female folk in starting their business. She also demanded of government to set up display centers at international airports of the country so that visiting and departing foreigners could be apprised about our products in garments, handicrafts, textile, etc. She also urged university students to contact WCCI and benefit from guidance being provided to women for taking a start in female entrepreneurship.