‘Women entrepreneurs should be made part of policymaking, reforms’

FAISALABAD: Women entrepreneurs should be made part of policymaking and reforms at government level. Besides their majority share in population, they have less participation in economic activities even compared to South Asian countries, said Rubina Amjad, President Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FWCCI).

She was addressing to the participants of FWCCI Women Entrepreneurs Conference on “Active Participation in Policymaking and Reforms” organized by FWCCI at Serena Hotel, Faisalabad.

The conference was attended by presidents of women chambers of commerce and industry, policymakers and business leaders of Faisalabad, executive committee and members of FWCCI.

The chamber chief emphasized that women entrepreneurs should be made part of policymaking and reforms at government level. Besides their majority share in population, they have less participation in economic activities even compared to South Asian countries.

India: 23%, Bangladesh: 36%, Sri Lanka 35% and Nepal 82%. In Pakistan, women are only 1% share compared to male led businesses and about 9% share in economic countries.

She said that women entrepreneurs are working in male dominated environment in addition to having their family and social constraints. She urged the government and policymakers to prioritize “Women Financing” by way of credit guarantee by the government. It will avoid banks from demanding unnecessary “collaterals and securities.” Women entrepreneurs will have sufficient availability of finances to do business.

She said that market access and facilitation, simple taxation and one window also important to develop women led businesses to expand and venture for exports.

Interactive session of Women Chambers presidents from all over the country was conducted by Qurrat-ul-Ain, newly-elected Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), wherein inputs from presidents was given on growth of women entrepreneurship and their active participation in policymaking and reforms. On the occasion, women manifesto of United Business Group was also tabled and highlighted by Qurat-ul-Ain.

Addressing the conference as keynote speaker Samina Fazil, Chairperson UBG Women Wing said that FPCCI has privilege to have a capable and women business-oriented women vice president in shape of Qurat-ul-Ain and now need is to work in unity on war-footing basis so that women entrepreneurship should be developed and women could have active participation in policymaking and reforms process at government level.

Addressing the conference, Mian Muhammad Adrees, former president FPCCI & FCCI appreciated the hard efforts of president FWCCI for organizing this vital country-level conference of women presidents and also thanked to the women presidents for their support for election of Qurat-ul-Ain, Vice President (Women) from Faisalabad in FPCCI Elections 2024-25.

He deplored that role of women in Pakistan economy is still at initial stage compared to South Asia countries and other advanced economies. He said that there are now 25 women chambers in the country, their number is increasing and women entrepreneurs should utilize these platforms for their productive role in the growth of mainstream economy.

While concluding the conference, Qurat-ul-Ain said that various points highlighted will be made part of “Women Manifesto (UBG) & BMP Manifesto” and asked full support of all the presidents of women chambers to work and expedite implementation process by the government.

The conference was also addressed by Mian Javed Iqbal, Group Leader, National Group, Kashif Bajwa, Chief Manager, SBP, Faisalabad, Javed Afzal, Provincial Chief, SMEDA, Dr Mansoor GIZ Pakistan, Dr Shehla Ikram , Founder President, Women Chamber Lahore and other prominent policymakers.

Vote of Thanks was offered by Tasghira Tajammal, SVP while shields were presented to all women Presidents, policymakers and renowned participating personalities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024