KARACHI, April 6: The prime minister’s adviser for women development, Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar, has appreciated the Sindh government efforts for encouraging women in various fields of activity.

In a meeting with Sindh Minister for Industries and Commerce Mohammed Adil Siddiqi on Thursday, she eulogised the cooperation of industries department in trade and industrial exhibitions held in Karachi so far and hoped that Women Expo, too, would prove successful with the cooperation of Sindh government.

The adviser and the provincial minister praised the liberal economic policies and expressed hope that a new era of women development would start with the steps being taken by the government.

They exhorted the skilled and talented women to come forward and play their vigorous role in the national economic progress.

Adil Siddiqi apprised the adviser of the concrete steps being taken by Sindh government for promoting women entrepreneurs and giving them their due status.

In this regard, he cited the example of Northern Bypass where, he said, 30-acre land had been allocated exclusively for women entrepreneurs.

He expressed hope that Women Expo to be held in Karachi would prove a milestone for fast development of women in every field.

Nilofar Bakhtiar said that Women Expo from April 13-16 was being organised with the cooperation of Fourth Dimension and Federal Ministry of Women Welfare and Development. She said that participation of 0.1 million women was expected.

She said that every province was being allocated 50 stalls to be set up in the exhibition. She said the event was being organised particularly for women who belonged to backward areas while special facilities were being provided for display of works of 200 craftswomen from earthquake-hit areas, FATA and WANA.

Among others, Dr Sultana Ibrahim, Manzar Rawal, Begum Salma Waheed Murad, Mahreen Elahi, Busra Aslam and Tahira Khan were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, FPCCI provincial president Rukhsana Jehangir also met Industries Minister Adil Siddiqi and discussed matters of common interests.

Adil Siddiqi said that the Sindh Small Industries Corporation was establishing Rs50 million fund for giving loans to women associated with cottage and small industries. He said that this was the best opportunity for women to take advantage of this policy. —APP