Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, Senator Shibli Faraz appreciating the practical role of women in trade and commerce said the government should pay monthly rent of offices of the Women Chambers of Commerce. The committee meeting was held in the chair of Senator Shibli Faraz here on Wednesday to discuss the issues faced by businesswomen in detail.
The chairman committee said the sanctioned funds by the EDF should be issued and a mechanism be prepared to resolve the issues faced by businesswomen as well as for early redressal of their complaints. He suggested that Women Chambers of Commerce must be given representation in the official delegations visiting abroad. Internal audit of Women Chambers needed to be conducted, he added.
Office-bearers of Women Chambers of Commerce of Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Hazara Division and Islamabad informed the committee about their problems. Women members of chambers informed that women had been permitted to establish their chambers in Islamabad after amendment in the law in 2007. "In Multan, exhibitions were also held for advertisement of locally manufactured crafts at international level. Members of Women Chambers of Commerce are increasing in Bahawalpur," they said. Manual and home-made crafts in Kohistan are being introduced in the prominent markets. In Lahore, Women Chamber organises Sunday Bazaars, Model Bazaars, Landa Bazaars and Meena Bazaars.
Senator Robina Khalid said women form 52 percent of the total population of the country, and urged the committee to help resolve issues of businesswomen. Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour proposed issuance of funds by EDF. Senator Attique Sheikh alleged that the Chambers of Commerce and TDAP receive funds in the name of Women Chambers of Commerce.
The chairman committee said that women need to strengthen their organisations on their own, saying the committee will cooperate fully with the women in this regard. Senator Usman Kakar suggested the government to pay rents of offices of Women Chamber of Commerce. Women should be given equal presentation in the foreign tours, he added.
Office-bearers from different women chambers of commerce thanked the committee members for extending invitation and providing them a platform for giving suggestions on solution of problems faced by businesswomen. A sub-committee headed by Senator Robina Khalid and comprising Ilyas Bilour and Usman Kakar was formed for presenting a detailed report on problems being faced by businesswomen. The meeting was also attended by Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja, Senator Saud Majeed, and high officials of Ministry of Commerce.
Comments
Comments are closed.