A platform: Trade fair for women entrepreneurs to be held

PESHAWAR:

The third Women Entrepreneurs Trade Fair will be held between March 4 and March 6 at Peshawar Services Club, stated a press release issued by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Saturday. The event has been organised by TDAP in collaboration with Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Women have been an [important] factor in the success of developed economies,” stated the press release. “[In order] to exploit the business potential of women in Pakistan, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, TDAP...will encourage women entrepreneurship through seminars and exhibitions.”

According to the statement, the trade fair will encourage women from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral, Gilgit, Bannu, DI Khan to display their products. Women from other parts of the country—such as Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Karachi—will also participate in the event.

Third time’s a charm

A media briefing was organised at TDAP’s office in Hayatabad on Saturday to discuss plans for the initiative.

At the session, Nasira Lughmani, president of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “This is not the first attempt to bring women [to the fore]. This is the third time such an event has been held. Previous exhibitions were quite successful and we hope this event will break previous records”

On display

Speaking to The Express Tribune, TDAP Director Noman Bashir said, “At least 50 stalls have been booked for the fair. Women from K-P, Punjab and Sindh will participate in the exhibition.”

He added, “Different stalls will be set up to showcase the talent of K-P and Pakistan. The stalls will have gems, textiles, ceramics and cotton.”

According to Bashir, Rs1.4 million is the budget for this initiative. He urged women who want to display their work at the trade fair to set up stalls. “This will be a great opportunity as the stalls will be provided free of cost,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2016.