APWC urges the government to share information regarding CPEC

RAWALPINDI: The conference of the Presidents of All Pakistan Women Chambers (APWC) on Saturday has urged the government and Planning Ministry to share information regarding CPEC Phase-II, its objectives and benefits to the Chambers through presentation, briefing and seminars at the earliest.

The Presidents of Women Chambers lauded the efforts of Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) for providing a platform to raise their voices among the government ranks and provided an opportunity to address key issues linked with women entrepreneurship.

The two-days summit was participated by the Presidents of Bhawalpur Women Chamber Afshan Saleem, Faisalabad Chamber Rubeena Amjad, Hazara Chamber Firdousia Afzal, Islamabad Chamber Rizwana Asif, Karachi South Chamber Shaiyanne Malik, Lahore Chamber Faaiza Amjad, Mardan Chamber Naeema Naz, Multan Chamber Seerat Fatima, Peshawar Chamber Azra jamshed and Quetta Chamber Division Saima Noreen.

Addressing a press conference after concluding session of the summit, President RCCI Malik Shahid Saleem said the government should facilitate the Women Chambers in all the national and international exhibitions and trade delegations through TDAP and other agencies.

He said that more than 11 Presidents of Women Chambers from all over Pakistan attended the two days summit aiming to provide women a platform to excel in the field of entrepreneurship, improve networking and consultation, he added.

While highlighting key points of joint declaration, the RCCI President said the government should introduce the financing facilities of short term/ long term loans at relaxed terms in the upcoming annual budget of 2019-20.

He said it was also proposed that the government should direct the State Bank of Pakistan to disseminate the information among the Women Chambers about the new financial schemes for SMEs and women led businesses at villages including livestock and poultry farming.

Equal financial grants should be provided to the women in rural and urban area by the government including the grants under Export Development Fund (EDF) to sustain the Women Chambers, he added.