Women entrepreneurs: Team goes to Europe to explore potential for exports

IWCCI president says they will learn about modern skills and new trends

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of women entrepreneurs has left for a 10-day visit to explore the European market and find ways and means to boost exports.

The delegation, led by Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) Founder-President Samina Fazil, will visit Hungary and Italy to explore the potential for unconventional exports and meet the business community, trade officials and diplomats.

Before leaving, the businesswomen expressed the hope they would be able to promote trade links in areas of common interests and explore avenues for the export of made-in-Pakistan goods.



“We want to share expertise, learn about new designs and modern skills from our counterparts,” said Fazil, adding that they would also study new trends and requirements of interested clients as there was a great demand for Pakistani handicrafts, jewellery and clothing in Europe.

She said that Europe was Pakistan’s important trading partner and accounted for 21.2% of Pakistan’s total exports and 16% of its total imports. Pakistan’s exports to Europe were dominated by textiles and clothing as well as leather products.

“We should also focus on other exportable products to increase our share in the European market and reduce dependence on traditional exports,” she added.

The IWCCI chief said that the trade volume between Pakistan and the EU was not very impressive; therefore the local business community should explore the European market to exploit its potential to the maximum for which coordinated efforts were needed.

She said that the government should not only send more business delegations to the EU, but it should also hold exhibitions and use all means to raise awareness of Pakistani products.

Fazil also urged the Pakistani business community to look for out-of-the-box solutions and explore Nordic countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to boost exports.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2017.

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