Local wares: WBDC fair provides platform for women entrepreneurs

Artisans showcase various homemade and household accessories.

PESHAWAR: The third three-day inter-provincial exhibition of women entrepreneurs titled ‘Summer Trade Fair III’ began on Monday.

Organised by Women Business Development Centre’s (WBDC) Peshawar and Swat chapters, the purpose of the event was to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their products through an elegant display setup, in addition to sharing business profiles and information with customers, as well as building strong linkages with counterparts within the country and abroad.

Participants include women entrepreneurs from Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Hazara, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Swat and Peshawar. They will display their products through 50 stalls showcasing embroidery, dresses, jewellery, decoration pieces, traditional pots and bridal accessories. More than 50% of the entrepreneurs hail from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).



“Women in K-P have the potential to recognise their skills at both national and International levels, despite the volatile situation in the province,” said Zarmina Khan, a participant whose stall displayed ribbon work, dough and net flowers, glass paintings and block paintings.

Sarwat Ali, whose products on display ranged from a variety of homemade household accessories, said the exhibition has not only helped artisans succeed in acquiring remarkable profits, but has also developed numerous links with potential customers for further business opportunities.

The WBDC is a project of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to facilitate underprivileged people, especially women, and provide financial assistance on manageable terms to help them start small-scale businesses.

“Our aim is to make women stand on their own feet to earn a livelihood for their families,” said WBDC project manager Nabeela Safdar, adding the trade fair provides a conducive environment for business. She maintained the WBDC will establish furthere initiatives in other parts of the province too.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2013.