ISLAMABAD: Women in Pakistan need opportunities for channelling their potential and talent for a successful future, said Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andleeb Abbas on Wednesday.

Speaking at a public-private dialogue on Gender Focused Economic Reforms, organised by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Ms Abbas stressed on legislation for ease of doing business and providing a conducive environment to women for their economic empowerment.

She said it is encouraging to see women’s chambers voicing the concerns of women entrepreneurs and that it is more important to have women’s representation in general chambers to ensure equality.

Referring to the economic alienation of women, she said: “If 48pc of the country’s overall population is not economically productive, how can we expect the country to develop”.

She said it is important for aspiring entrepreneurs to understand that it is more difficult to sustain and grow a business than it is to start it.

MNA Sajida Zulfiqar, who was moderating the discussion, said: “Given the increasing desire of people to start their own businesses, we need to set up more chambers to give them a platform to voice their concerns and create critical linkages between the chambers and the government to ensure inclusive policy making. The major chambers should also represent the small businesses and help them promote their business activities and generate traction beyond boundaries”.

MNA Ghazala Saifi said the export oriented approach demands capacity building of exporters before they can compete in the international market and participate in the mainstream exports industry. A campaign to disseminate the services on offer for women entrepreneurs is extremely critical to enhance their economic participation. Women across all sectors need to be part of the decision making process as an intervention to close the gender gap, she said.

Former Vice President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Masooma Sibtain shared the priority intervention areas identified in the Women National Business Agenda - a policy proposal on gender focused economic reforms presented from the platform of FPCCI.

The participating private sector leaders – mostly women - were of the view that the financing opportunities offered to the women entrepreneurs by banks should be linked to their rating; in case of non-compliance, the banks’ ratings shall drop.

The dialogue was held at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Affairs Hall, Parliament Lodges with participation from members of parliament, especially women parliamentarians, private sector representatives and those of State Bank.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2019