KARACHI, May 6: The Sindh government has allocated 50 acres for establishing industrial park for the enterprising women in the province.
Addressing the members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday, Sindh Women Development Minister Dr Saeeda Malik said that women would be allowed to open shops or set up small industrial units in the proposed industrial park. They may opt for boutiques or any other related business they wish to start, she added.
The proposed plan also includes entertainment and jogging facilities for the women folk and would set a new trend to be followed in other cities, she hoped.
She said that the government was also planning to set up training institutions for women so that they could be imparted necessary training for running the industrial units. She called upon the private sector to join in the efforts of the government.
She said the women in Sindh would be extended loans by Khushhali Bank whereas in other provinces, the First Women Bank would extend advance to women industrialists and entrepreneurs.
Saeeda Malik said that the participation of women in socio-economic development of the country was prerequisite to compete in today’s world of globalisation and open market competition. She said that economic empowerment of women was directly linked to their education and skill development for which the present government was taking measures and had allocated sufficient funds.
She said, “The women development ministry is working for provision of better healthcare to raise health standards of women, promotion of sports and cultural activities as well as raising standards of women education to control violence against women. Women’s role and their proper participation cannot be overlooked.,” she added.
The minister applauded the efforts of KCCI for establishing women entrepreneur sub-committee and said that it would serve as a model for other sectors in the country.
KCCI President Haroon Farooki said that Pakistan had entered in 21st century and there was an urgent need to eliminate old concept of gender discrimination.
Referring to the KCCI’s drive for enhancing women participation in business, he said that the KCCI was focusing on socioeconomic empowerment of the women by encouraging women entrepreneurs in the field of business and commercial activities. The KCCI had formed a women entrepreneur sub-committee and planned to reserve a seat for women on the managing committee of the chamber in future so that the women's committee could get a female chairperson, he added.
Earlier, KCCI Women Entrepreneurs Sub-Committee Chairman Mian Abrar Ahmad presented the welcome address and stressed the need for women's participation in the uplift of the economy. He said that the women entrepreneur sub-committee encouraged businesswomen to come forward and interact with their business counterparts to share their business capabilities.
KCCI former president Siraj Kassam Teli and others spoke on the occasion. —APP/PPI
