Women entrepreneurs: Aurangzeb vows to create conducive environment

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday held a meeting with a delegation of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Peshawar (WCCIP) led by its President Quratulain and comprising Senior Vice President Zaara Imtiaz and Secretary General Saba Hidayat.

The delegation briefed the Finance Minister on the Chamber’s initiatives to promote women entrepreneurship in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through advocacy, capacity building, startup incubation, skills development, and support for emerging sectors including handicrafts, textiles, food processing, gems and jewellery, agriculture, information technology, and beauty products.

The meeting focused on promoting women entrepreneurship, enhancing financial inclusion, improving access to finance, and creating greater economic opportunities for women-led businesses. The delegation also shared views regarding access to formal finance, banking services, market linkages, logistics, certification, and business development support. Proposals regarding strengthening the policy framework for women-owned enterprises and increasing their participation in the formal economy were also shared.

Appreciating the Chamber’s efforts, the Finance Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs and acknowledged the vital role of women-led enterprises in Pakistan’s economic development.

He emphasized that increasing women’s participation in the workforce, improving access to education, expanding digital and financial literacy, and equipping women with market-relevant skills are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. He noted that these objectives require a coordinated, long-term national effort involving both the public and private sectors.

The Finance Minister highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to advance digital financial inclusion, noting that social protection payments are increasingly being routed through digital wallets to strengthen women’s financial empowerment and provide them with greater control over their finances. He stressed that digital literacy and access to modern financial services would continue to play a central role in expanding economic opportunities for women across the country.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb also underscored the immense potential of Pakistan’s digital economy and encouraged the Chamber to promote upskilling and reskilling of young women, particularly in information technology, freelancing, software development, and digital services, enabling them to compete effectively in international markets and contribute to the country’s export earnings. He reiterated that the government would continue to facilitate entrepreneurship by fostering an enabling policy environment, while emphasizing that the private sector must remain the principal driver of investment, innovation, and job creation.

The delegation thanked the Finance Minister for the constructive engagement and appreciated the government’s continued support for women entrepreneurs. Both sides agreed to maintain close engagement to advance practical measures aimed at strengthening women’s economic participation, enhancing financial inclusion, and promoting inclusive, private sector-led growth.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026