ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile Maqbool H H Rahmatoola on Sunday said that we must increase export of value added items for the survival of the country.

He said that the government is working on increasing exports while focusing on small and medium enterprises. He stated this while speaking at a training workshop for female entrepreneurs jointly organised by TDAP, FWBL, UNIDO and IPALMO at the Islamabad Expo 2013 organised by Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The minister said that the business community lags behind in value addition which is imperative to increase the economic value and consumer appeal of a product. “Women must understand that a value added product has more market value than raw commodity,” he stressed. He said that all the women chambers should unite for the cause of women empowerment and that government would extend all possible support in this regard.

“Expos are exciting events which exhibit skills of artisans and it is one of the best ways to get recognition and take businesses to the next level,” he said. “I believe supporting women amount to supporting future generations,” said Rahmatoola, adding that the government would continue to strive and support all moves aimed at enhancing capacity of women. “Women deserve opportunities to transform their potential into profit for which they should know how to make best use of the internet,” he stressed.

Rahmatoola visited different stalls and took note of some issues highlighted by women entrepreneurs and asked TDAP officials including Colonel (Retd) Naieem, Zia-ul-Hassan and Khalid Baig to submit a report within 24 hours.

At the occasion Samina Faizl, Perveen Khan of FWBL, Shahina Waheed of UNIDO and others said that they would continue to provide a platform to women entrepreneurs to enhance their contribution towards society by cementing ties with stakeholders to grow their business.