In a bid to encourage youth and new talent in business field, a three-day Business Promotion Exhibition "Eid with Youth" under the auspices of Women Business Development Centre (WBDC) here began. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development, Sitara Ayaz formally inaugurated the exhibition during a ceremony.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Provincial Chief, Javed Iqbal Khattak, WBDC Project Manager, Ms Nabeela Farman, women entrepreneurs and members of business community were present on the occasion. Around 20 stalls have been put on display in three-day exhibition with variety of products, including women handmade embroidery cloths, jewellery, ladies bags, bangles, artificial and decoration pieces along with other Eid related stuff.
WBDC Project Manager, Ms Nabeela Farman, on the occasion explained the aims and objects of three-day business promotion activity. She informed that the basic target is youth and to create awareness in them and encourage them to come forward to various businesses. She observed that the developing countries, including Pakistan are immensely facing unemployment issue, which could be tackling through introduction of self-employment programmes and initiatives.
For the purpose, she said that there is need of proper training and guideline, adding that the women entrepreneurs and youth interactive session could be helpful to sensitise and encourage them to come in business field.
Ms Nabeela said that the WBDC has developed an idea to hold a three-day activity for youth for the purpose. He expressed the hope the initiative would provide a greater opportunity for creation of awareness in youth to come to business field.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development, Sitara Ayaz, while addressing on the occasion said that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa women has the potential to compete both at national and international levels. Unfortunately, she said that the KP women's participation has always remained low at both levels in the past. She, however, said that the provincial government is encouraging new and young talent, especially skilled women to become part of national and international fora competition.
She informed the government has established a number of facilitation centres to guide talented and skilled women, adding that the centres are providing free training, special vocational courses and different skill works. The basic aim is to promote the skills and work of women in the market. Sitara Ayaz said that the women's role is pivotal in economic development, saying that the government has kept focus on women economic empowerment in the province. She said that the economic growth is low over the past many years because of prevailing uncertain situation. She also highlighted the women role in establishment of peace in the province. Later, she visited the stalls and encouraged the skilled work of young artisan and their talent and assured the government would extend all kind of support for their business development in future.