USAID: Symposium on female entrepreneurs held in Islamabad

US-Pakistan Women’s Council educates aspirants about opportunities.

ISLAMABAD: The US-Pakistan Women’s Council, in collaboration with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the United States (US) Embassy, organised a symposium at ICCI’s head office to discuss “business opportunities for women entrepreneurs in textile and fashion sector”.

Addressing the symposium, US-Pakistan Women’s Council Executive Director Sarah Peck said that the Council was launched in September 2012 to promote economic opportunities for women in Pakistan and is working on collaborations with Pakistani and US businesses, universities and institutions to link resources and financial support initiatives aimed at helping women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. “If we can help women entrepreneurs succeed, we believe the future of Pakistan will be brighter” said Peck.

The symposium was attended by various female entrepreneurs and representatives from collaborating banks, who explained the various resources the Women’s Council was offering to entrepreneurs.

President Khushali Bank Ghalib Nishtar, and Mian Anwarud Din from United Bank Limited explained the forms of financing available to entrepreneurs under the programme.

Several established women entrepreneurs spoke at the symposium and advised participants on how to establish their businesses.

President ICCI Zafar Bakhtawari appreciated the efforts of the Women’s Council for promoting women empowerment in Pakistan.

With women making up 51% of Pakistan’s population, the government should come up with better policies for encouraging and facilitating women who opt for entrepreneurship and contribute more effectively to the economic development of the country, Bakhtawari said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2013.

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