National Business Agenda for Women Entrepreneurs underway: FPCCI official

KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) has taken the initiative to protect and promote the business interests of the women of the country through Women National Business Agenda, said Masooma Sibtain, vice president of the federation.

In a statement issued here Wednesday, she said there was dire need to formulate gender focus policies for SME development, improved access to finance, support in Export Refinance Scheme, and harmonization of provincial taxes for women owned businesses and start-ups across the country.

"There is strong need of tax harmonization, especially in the services sectors different rates of taxes are being applied at provincial level," the senior entrepreneur was quoted.

Under the agenda the share of women in key trade related policies was said to be enhanced so that they could be provided opportunities to play their active role in manufacturing and exports.

Masooma Sibtain said to streamline the process series of meetings and consultative sessions are being held for finalization of National Business Agenda for women entrepreneurs of the country.

It was on the basis of their recommendations that the WNBA document is being prepared, she said mentioning that women entrepreneurs in their respective input sought promotion of tax culture and suggested that FBR should establish separate desks to facilitate women taxpayers.

Representatives of SECP attending the sessions were said to have recommended that women entrepreneurs should consider to setup companies because it helps them in perpetual succession.

"This will serve to support women led economic reforms agenda that may also be incorporated in the general election 2018 manifesto of the contesting political parties," Sibtain elaborated.

FPCCI vice president said endorsement drive has also been initiated to support WNBA and it was encouraging that FPCCI leadership and Women of Chambers across the country have endorsed WNBA initiative which will provide framework for addressing their key policy related issues.

Hammad Siddique, Country Director Center for International Enterprise (CIPE) supplementing the FPCCI office bearer said it was encouraging that political leadership has started working on economic reforms.

In WNBA key economic policies are being targeted and the overall objective was to analyze policies with gender angle to support Women Small and Medium Enterprises, he said.