ICCI focuses on women entrepreneurship capacity building
August 2, 2008 ISLAMABAD (APP) - Pakistan is emerging as an important economy in South Asian region and contribution of women to our national economy is gaining momentum with the passage of time, which is beneficial for the country.
This was stated by President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, while addressing a seminar on “Best Practices for Women Entrepreneurs” arranged by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), which is a non-profit affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce .
He said women between the aged of 15 to 49 make 49.7 percent of the total population of Pakistan and thus they have an important role to play in the development of the country.
ICCI President said it is very encouraging that women in Pakistan are now participating in all spheres of economic life and are contributing significantly to the well being of their families as well as to the national economy.
He said in recent years, women’s entrepreneurship has burgeoned in the world while women-owned businesses as well as self-employed women currently constitute an important and growing share of the business community in Pakistan.
By motivating and properly utilizing the abundance of women’s human capital in our country and by increasing their participation in enterprises, start-up business and other economic activities, Pakistan can greatly enhance its competitive position and lure domestic as well as foreign investors, he added.
Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi said to achieve these objectives government should give priority to promoting equality for women in business field by redressing existing imbalances between the position of male and female entrepreneurs and advancing the status of women entrepreneurs to a level where they can participate in and benefit from developments on an equal footing with men.
He said effective promotion of female entrepreneurs will have to take account of the specific needs of women entrepreneurs and by providing them tailor-made support. He emphasized upon the government to implement specific actions or measures to particularly support female entrepreneurship.
Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi highly appreciated the role and efforts of CIPE for arranging such events seminar which will lead to enhance the knowledge and skills of participating women entrepreneurs about running successful business enterprises.
He said ICCI is planning to form women forums in Islamabad Chamber of Commerce to attend to all their business related issues.
He hoped that collaboration of ICCI and CIPE for holding such events will result into the promotion and growth of women business enterprises, which will ultimately lead to creation of more job opportunities in the country and strengthening of our economy and country at large.
He said ICCI shall organize women entrepreneurship capacity, building programs on regular basis so as to support women in heir business development initiatives.
On this occasion, a detailed presentation was given to women entrepreneurs about best business practices supported by illustrations and lectures, which was greatly appreciated by the participants.
They were also informed about the latest business practices which they could use to enhance and promote their businesses locally and internationally.