World Bank to train female entrepreneurs

Programme to be launched in Faisalabad soon

FAISALABAD: A World Bank-funded programme is being launched in Faisalabad soon to enhance professional skills and capabilities of female entrepreneurs, said Enclude Entrepreneurship Technical Team Lead Gerrit Ribbink.

During a meeting with Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Vice President Engineer Ahmed Hassan on Monday, Ribbink said, “this project was initially launched in 2013-14 in Karachi and Islamabad with technical support from the Institute of Business Administration’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Development and Minding HER business.”



In its first phase, training was imparted to over 300 female entrepreneurs. The first phase was restricted to lectures, the second to industrial support whereas in the third phase the participants were asked to prepare business plans independently.

Ribbink said the on-going programme would conclude this year, following which another would be launched in Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot.

“In the new programme, training will be imparted to another 400 female entrepreneurs in these cities including 120 from Faisalabad.”

The FCCI vice president assured the World Bank that the chamber would cooperate with the lender, microfinance banks and the NGOs concerned. “Faisalabad is one of the most thriving business centres of Pakistan and the FCCI has over 5,000 members in its fold.”



The number of female businesswomen, however, is only 83, of which 68 belong to the Associate Class and 15 to the Corporate Class.

The GDP growth had necessitated an increase in female participation in local businesses, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2016.

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