PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: The Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Peshawar Division (WCCIPD), has welcomed provincial government support for its proposals aimed at promoting women-led businesses, entrepreneurship, access to finance and institutional development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
During his recent visit to the Women Chamber, Advisor Finance Muzammil Sahib announced support for several proposals presented by WCCIPD, which the Chamber described as an important step towards converting policy advocacy into practical measures for women entrepreneurs.
The announced support includes Rs5 million for upgrading the Women Chamber, particularly its capacity-building and facilitation functions, and a Rs50 million endowment fund for economic development activities for women entrepreneurs.
The government also supported a proposal for a reduced-interest-rate subsidy under access-to-finance schemes and the establishment of a Women Incubation Center at WCCIPD to provide entrepreneurs with support for enterprise development, capacity building and business growth.
WCCIPD President Qurat-ul-Ain appreciated the provincial government’s support and acknowledged the role of Muzammil Sahib in considering the Chamber’s proposals and supporting their inclusion in government development priorities.
She said the initiatives demonstrated the importance of structured dialogue between the private sector and government and highlighted WCCIPD’s efforts to bring issues concerning women-led businesses to the policy table.
She said the Chamber focuses on areas including finance, market access, capacity building, entrepreneurship development, institutional infrastructure and economic inclusion, while seeking practical linkages between government policies and women entrepreneurs.
Founder President Sajida Zulfiqar highlighted issues and opportunities related to industrial development and the effective utilisation of available assets for economic activity.
Shamama Arbab also highlighted sector-specific opportunities for women, particularly in food processing and agriculture-related enterprises, and stressed the need for targeted facilitation and sector-based economic initiatives.
WCCIPD said it would continue engagement with the provincial government and other stakeholders to support implementation of the announced measures and expand economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the province.
