Women in Business: IWCCI hold festival to promote women owned businesses

Entrepreneurs say when women in businesses compete with men, they see greater creativity and innovation’

ISLAMABAD: At Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), female participants put up a great show to promote women entrepreneurs in Business festival WIBFEST on Sunday at Lok Virsa.

The purpose of the festival was to revive the funfairs in the country whilst promoting and encouraging women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Women owned businesses from Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan, Peshawar, Lahore, Sailkot, Faislabad, Mardan showcased their creative products and services. Interestingly, it was discovered that women participated in various diverse businesses including  artefacts, home décor, travel and tourism, cyber security, organic products, designed costumes, handicrafts, health, IT, solar energy businesses etc. Women involved in the manufacturing sector and logistics also took part in the event.  Delicious eateries businesses owned by women attracted massive crowds. A Fun area for kids with mascots from Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor attracted a lot of families to visit the event.

“Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) is seriously looking at ways to increase women’s economic empowerment and participation in their respective business sectors,” said FPCCI President Ghazanfar Bilour while inaugurating the event.

IWCCI President Reem Abbasi said that our efforts to celebrate women in business as an International Women’s Day activity this year, is encouraging entrepreneurship in women that will bring about the change that is required and events like these pave way for more women to come forward.

IWCCI Founder President Samina Fazil said providing and expanding the enabling environment for women entrepreneurs in societies also expands the diversity of skills. When women start a business and compete on an even plane with men, there is a greater potential to see creativity and innovation in women owned businesses. WIB Fest thanked IPO for representing women at the Festival on Intellectual Property rights and Trademarks and also Careem for providing promo codes and to every catalogue and bookitnow.pk.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2018.