ISLAMABAD, April 27: The government is working to set up business incubators for women in all the provinces and the capital to provide them with a platform for gaining economic independence.

Advisor to the prime minister on women development, social welfare and special education, Nilofar Bakhtiar, said this while speaking at a prize distribution ceremony held at Women Welfare and Development Centre (WWDC) here on Tuesday.

Ms Bakhtiar said these business incubators would include display centres, providing an opportunity to the women to present their crafts in the open market. She said the branches of First Women Bank and Khushali Bank would also be opened at the centres to facilitate the women in handling the business affairs.

She said in accordance with the government's aim to uplift the economic status of women, these centres would help them directly interact with the local as well as international markets.

The advisor said the government was concerned about providing women with equal opportunities in earning their livelihood with dignity. In this regard, a horticulture programme would soon be launched in Islamabad under 'Jafakash Aurat Project'.

She said the government was also working on launching a honey bee farm project in the capital where women would be equally encouraged to participate. Ms Bakhtiar expressed satisfaction over the working of the WWDC in teaching vocational skills as means of earning and announced a raise in allocation of budget for the institution.

She said the ministry would also launch new courses at WWDC, having some market value that may ultimately benefit the girls in gaining economic stability. The WWDC assistant director, Asmat Afridi, said besides the conventional vocational activities such as embroidery, cutting, sewing, the institution was also giving education about the basics of computer.

She said the newly-launched courses of micro-credit and entrepreneurship at WWDC were meant to prepare women before they entered the practical field. A variety show was also presented on the occasion by the girls receiving vocational training. Ghazal singing and the bridal show were appreciated by the audience. -APP