Women's role key factor for economic stability

Nobody can gainsay the fact that without the active participation of women in business no country can attain the economic stability and prosperity. In Pakistan, women who constitute half of the population of the country are taking active part in the economic activities with zeal and commitment. We should recognize open hardheartedly that women are confronting with critical issues and certain barriers which are creating problems in doing-business.
Undoubtedly, women entrepreneurship is a key factor in economic development and there was a great need of formulating stimulus polices to empower women folk to involve them in business activities. In current era, it is high time that women entrepreneurship should be promoted for the larger national interest and in this regard, the government should announce special incentives for women entrepreneurship by introducing financing facilities etc in the country.
Federal and provincial governments should announce special incentives and concessions for encouraging the women entrepreneurship enabling them to establish their independent business.
Sialkot is the hub of largest cluster of export-oriented cottage industry in Pakistan that is contributing handsome foreign exchange to national economy despite certain odds. In recent past, women are coming up as emerging economic force in main industrial hubs, of the country, including Sialkot and the ratio of entrepreneurship is increasing, day-by-day, in industrial activity, especially in this export-oriented city and the hub of cottage industry of the country.
It is encouraging that Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is making an
adequate effort to encourage women entrepreneurship to enter into business line and extending all possible support and cooperation to them for doing business. In order to promote women entrepreneurship the SCCI had established Women Resource Centre (WRC) for resolving their problems on priority basis.
Talking to Business Recorder, Vice Chairperson Departmental Committee on Women Entrepreneur Nadia Qaiser said that basic objective of setting up Women Resource Centre was to recognize the role of women folk in economic growth and bringing them on equal footings with men. Special attention had been focused on enhancing entrepreneurial skills among the women entrepreneurs enabling them to do business conveniently, she said. She suggested that Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) should formulate a separate plan for sending business women delegation to abroad.
Sialkot Chamber she said was making strenuous efforts for bridging the gap between urban and rural population with the concept of opening channel of communication and involves them in small business programmes.
Nadia disclosed that Agriculture Committee and Women Resource Centre of SCCI in collaboration of USAID and PEEP (Punjab Enabling Environment Project) had established women led network of milk collection and provision of hygienic, wholesome, fresh and affordable milk to the consumers of Sialkot city.