Women enterprisers will be provided more opportunities: Senator Ghulam Ali

We need govt, community support to become self-sufficient: Samina Fazil

President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Senator Haji Ghulam Ali on Thursday has said that women entrepreneurs have been given more opportunities to excel. He said that he will facilitate meeting of Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) with Prime Minister and President who are very concerned about welfare and development of 52 per cent of the population of Pakistan.

Speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by Samina Fazil, President IWCCI, Haji Ghulam Ali said that government has provided Rs 60 billion to BISP for social welfare; it can also help business women by providing interest-free loans. He said that FPCCI will promote women entrepreneurs, boost their presence in business delegations and arrange women-specific tours to foreign countries so that they can have exposure and enhanced trade opportunities.

The FPCCI President who was on his first-ever visit to any women’s chamber, also assured women of provision of a plot for Chambers building and grant from TDAP.

Earlier in her welcome address, Samina Fazil, President IWCCI, demanded 25 per cent presence of women in all foreign business trips. She said that male-dominated business chambers should amend rules and support women to help them become self sufficient. Samina also demanded FPCCI to help establish a display centre in Islamabad to encourage the cottage industry run by women and arrange financial literacy programmes. “We deserve to have independent working women development programmes by government and private sector,” Samina underlined.

Others present on the occasion included VP FPCCI Fazal-e-Elahi, Chairman Capital Office FPCCI, Hameed Akhtar Chadda, President RCCI Syed Ali Raza, Chairmen of FPCCI Standing Committees Malik Sohail, Tariq Mehmood and Arif Rafique were also present.

Tariq Mehmood stressed information to women about good borrowing practices, proper business planning, productive use of the loan, repayments, avoiding over-indebtedness, increase in savings, and knowing consumer rights. “Of 1.6 million microfinance borrowers some 100,000 enterprises are exclusively owned by women,” said Tariq.

Arif Rafique pointed out that low literacy and social constraints are barring women, especially micro- entrepreneurs from avenues through which they can grow their businesses and increase contribution. Malik Sohail lauded the struggle of women and offered full cooperation. He said that women will soon overcome all obstacles. He said it is responsibility of men to support women wherever they need help otherwise country cannot climb ladders of success.