Federal Minister for Women Development, Firdous Ashiq Awan has said plan has been finalised to establish a sizeable and well-equipped display center exclusively for women entrepreneurs in Lahore to strengthen the role of women for the economic development of the country.
The minister was speaking at a seminar on 'Way Forward for Economic Empowerment of Women' jointly organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Women Development on Monday.
The minister said the display centre in Lahore having sector-specific areas would enable the women entrepreneurs to showcase their products to the local as well as foreign buyers in a winsome manner. She said that the present government was making all out efforts for the economic empowerment of the women although there were elements that were not in the favour of women empowerment.
Awan urged women to learn more about modern business methodologies and techniques as at global marketplace ample opportunities do exist for them. "Not only women can earn much-needed foreign exchange for the country but they can also portary the country as a vibrant and liberal society which has equal opportunities for everyone."
Speaking on the occasion, President LCCI, Shahzad Ali Malik called for social empowerment, legal empowerment, political empowerment and economic empowerment of women for bringing a positive change in society. He said the formation of separate Ministry for women clearly shows that women were now being recognised as a force that has great potential to contribute to the economic turnaround of the country.
It is a good sign that all out efforts were being made to protect the rights of women by adopting new laws that include the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2009 and Protection against Harassment at Workplace Bill 2009. The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act is under consideration. They were hoping that these efforts would certainly improve the situation.
He said that women in Pakistan today face a number of problems in uplifting their social and economic status. The main problems were lack of awareness, limited access to information, little access to finance, lack of training and development, lack of networking opportunities among business individuals, concerned government departments and business associations, he added.
The president LCCI urged the State Bank of Pakistan to provide collateral free loaning facility to the women entrepreneurs so that they could also perform to their fullest potential. He said though the TDAP was playing a commendable role in promoting business activities overseas especially encouraging women entrepreneurs to take part in international business delegation as well as trade fairs.
The way TDAP is providing subsidy to female delegates like 50 percent discount in air ticket and US $100/per day TA/DA allowance etc., the LCCI recommends that those women entrepreneurs who take part in international trade fairs should also be provided TA/DA and hotel residence at subsidised rates.
Senior Vice President LCCI, Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, Vice President SAARC Chamber of Commerce, Iftikhar Ali Malik, MNA Shireen Arshad Khan, Seema Aziz, Director Bareeze, Bushra Ahsan, Senior Vice President, First Women Bank, LCCI EC Members Nasira Taskeen, Saeeda Nazar, Asia Saail Khan, Convener, Standing Committe on Women Entrepreneur Development also spoke on the occasion.