Fashion-designing institutes: 20 percent seats for poor women under consideration

The chairperson of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Women Empowerment and Advocacy Forum, MNA Shireen Arshad Khan, has said that a proposal is under active consideration to allocate 20 percent seats at all fashion designing institutes working under Ministry of Commerce for poor and skilful women.
She was speaking at a seminar on 'Importance of Fashion and Trend Forecast in Apparel Business', organised by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. She said that the proposal for imparting training to needy skilful women was prepared because as having all the talent a number of women were unable to make a mark in the international market because they did not have a certificate from any reputed institution, a prerequisite to enter the world market.
Stressing the need for promotion of branding culture in Pakistan, she said that the private sector would have to work out methodology in this regard to wear off the intensity of present-day economic meltdown. She said that women constitute more than half of the population but their natural creative abilities are not utilised; therefore, there is dire need to encourage them in joining mainstream economy. Their participation in business will change the complexion of society and perception of the country, she added.
LCCI President Shahzad Ali said that in recent years the government has been focusing more on development of women entrepreneurs in the country but due attention is needed by offering focused opportunities in export of goods to international market. The products prepared by women entrepreneurs should be allowed concession in taxes. He urged the government to come up with a more aggressive package for women entrepreneurs.
While urging women to come forward and show their abilities, he said that the conditions have improved much in Pakistan, both in rural and urban areas. Today's women are well aware of their rights; they are equally educated, and are entering non-traditional businesses like boutiques, textile designing, printing and publishing, architecture, banking, IT, business management and fashion designing.
Women entrepreneurs with their flair and aesthetic sense are introducing designer products related to garments, shoes, boutiques, jewellery, ladies handbags and some other accessories. He said the LCCI will leave no stone unturned for betterment of women entrepreneurs. He said that women workers should acquire modern techniques for business promotion and come forward with new ideas. Skill enhancement of women and their economic independence is need of the hour.
The LCCI President said that despite the fact that Pakistan has all resources in abundance and quality-wise its goods are 'best of the best' in the entire world, it has so far failed to get its share in the world economy only because of poor brand management in Pakistan. He said that branding is one of the tools that helps highlight the soft image of any country, besides giving required boost to its exports.
He said that LCCI would continue to conduct such seminars to update its members so that they could enhance their productivity and profitability and contribute towards the economic growth of Pakistan. MPA Ghazala Saad Rafique, the Principal of Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design Hina Tayyaba, and prominent designer Yasir Waheed also spoke on the occasion.