Ms. Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) chaired planning and preparatory meeting to review the arrangements for upcoming National Women Trade Fair hosted by NCSW on 11th of December 2023 in Islamabad. Advisor at National Culture and Heritage Division Mr. Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Minister Women Development, Gilgit Baltistan Ms. Dilshad Bno, office bearers of Women Chambers of Commerce in all regions of Pakistan, representatives from UN Women and many other leading women’s support organizations attended this meeting. Objective of this trade fair is to promote successful Pakistani women entrepreneurs who are leaders and role models in different business sectors and industries.
In her opening remarks, Chairperson said that NCSW was endeavoring under its mandate for economic empowerment of women in Pakistan. In 16 days of Activism campaign worldwide that is from 25th November to 10th of December, this year’s theme is to attain women economic empowerment to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV). She said that innumerable women in Pakistan are running their own successful businesses but there is lack of coordination and platforms to showcase their talent, ideas and success stories. This trade fair will provide an opportunity to many large, medium and small business holders to come forward and unveil their achievements and out of the box ideas on national level in different business segments like real estate, furniture, handicrafts, film & media production, building & construction, textile & designs, food & eatery, artisan, sports goods and in the export sector etc.
She said that our main focus is to bring forward small and medium enterprises (SMEs) run by Pakistani Women those are seeking for identity and promotion. We are going to provide them a forum for strong connectivity and sharing their experiences. She further said that the fair will provide a support system and a unique prospect for women entrepreneurs in far flung areas in Pakistan to have a network with successful larger businesses to guide them for their expansion and improved marketing. She vowed to arrange an international trade fair in her next step for Pakistani women for image building in international community.
Advisor at National Culture and Heritage Division Mr. Muhammad Kashif Irshad assured his full support to make this fair a success. He stressed to promote our culture and termed this occasion an excellent opportunity to exhibit it by women run businesses especially by handicrafts. He expressed that women economic empowerment will lead to stronger families that will culminate into strong Pakistani society.
Rep of UN Women-main sponsoring and collaborating agency for holding this trade fair-Ms. Fareeha Usman giving her remarks said that Pakistan’s GDP can get a boost up to 60% if women in Pakistan are economically empowered and UN Women is supporting them to have financial autonomy, income security, economic safety and opportunities to run decent businesses.
Later, coordination committees were finalized by nominating one focal person for each region who will coordinate to motivate and bring women entrepreneurs to trade fair.
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