SIALKOT: Australia wants to extend its full financial and technical support to manufacturing sector in Sialkot as well as ensure maximum women empowerment in the industrial city.

This was said by Acting Deputy High Commissioner of Australia in Pakistan David Preston while addressing a meeting at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday.

The meeting was headed by SCCI President Khawaja Masud Akhtar. SCCI Senior Vice President Waqas Akram Awan and leading exporters were also present on the occasion.

The Australian envoy discussed in detail the issues being faced by the women workforce in Sialkot industries. He stressed the need to encourage women empowerment on a priority basis.

Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) can facilitate a comfortable and safe working environment to the female workers in the city’s industrial units. He said that this would provide financial security to not only the female workers but their families as well. He said that conducive and safe working environment for women could play a pivotal role in women empowerment.

Both the SCCI and MDF joined hands to work hard mutual towards ensuring maximum women empowerment in local industries.

The high commissioner disclosed that Australia’s MDF institution also wished to help Sialkot’s exporters. Preston added that Australia intended to promote strengthened mutual trade ties between Pakistan and Australia. “There are bright opportunities to develop B2B contacts between Pakistan and Australia.”

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2018