ISLAMABAD: Dr. Arif Alvi, Pakistan’s President, encouraged that businesswomen be given equal opportunity to advance in the business world, paving the way for better economic development and prosperity for the country. He stated that increasing women’s participation in business and other professions is critical to reducing poverty and ensuring the country’s long-term growth. He emphasized that the government should develop more chances for women’s economic empowerment while also providing them with a safe and suitable employment environment. He made the remarks during an award event for businesswomen and young entrepreneurs hosted by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.
President Dr. Arif Alvi praised the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce for conducting an award ceremony to celebrate the contributions of businesswomen and young entrepreneurs, and urged other chambers of commerce to work for the economic development of women and youth. He advised chambers of commerce to help businesswomen obtain low-interest bank loans. He stated that 20 to 40 percent of employees in SBP and private commercial banks are women, and chambers of commerce should push their member companies to hire more women and special people in their corporate organizations. He stated that over 20 million children in Pakistan are out of school, and more than 50,000 schools are required to accommodate their enrollment. As an alternative, mosques can be used to educate children who are not in school. Similarly, mosques can also be used as primary health centers.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries said that to ensure the progress and prosperity of the country, it is vital to empower women in every field of life. ICCI works tirelessly to empower women and youth. He stated that women constitute half of our population, but their engagement in business is minimal. Our women are extremely talented, and the government should give them with low-interest loans to start their own enterprises. He stated that IT should be awarded industry status in order to enhance the IT sector and its exports, both of which are critical to the country’s progress and prosperity. He proposed a quota for female entrepreneurs in Parliament. The government should provide a plot for the Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce to develop its building and effectively promote the interests of female entrepreneurs. He stated that the ICCI will continue to provide women with the necessary assistance in starting their own businesses.
Khalid Iqbal Malik, Group Leader of ICCI, stated that the government should take steps to boost literacy rates, open more vocational training schools for skill development, and privatize the government’s loss-making commercial.
