Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister speaks about women's business activities


"It was quite challenging task to organise women business promotional activities in the province, women intentionally were kept away from such activities and confined to their houses", said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Information, and Culture, Mian Iftikhar Hussain.

In a bid to exhibit and promote women entrepreneurs' handicraft and skilled work, a two-day Grande Trade Festival-2012 under the auspices of Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCI), Peshawar in collaboration with Directorate of Culture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was started on Tuesday.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain was chief guest at opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Beside WCCI president, Sajida Zulfiqar, Secretary Culture, Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Ms Fitarat Ilayas Bilour, and representatives of relevant stakeholders were present on the occasion.

Iftikhar said that government wants equal rights and opportunities for women in the society, adding that the promotion of female education was its top priority.

He stressed that women had much contribution in economic development by taking parts in different field of life.

"We can't ignore their contribution in economic uplift the country", he maintained.

Mian Iftikhar said the gender base equality would prove economic development and property, adding that women are part and parcel by leading role in various characteristic abilities and skilled.

He expressed the hope that the business promotional events would helpful for regaining economic activities in the province.

"We are peaceful people and believe on non-violence ideology," he explained and said that aggressive forces will not be succeeded in their hidden agenda.

While talking to reporters, Mian Iftikhar said that the basic purpose of the business development activity was to provide an opportunity to women entrepreneurs to showcase their skilled work.

The government had launched different scheme, like Hunarmad, Bacha Khan Akpal Rozar and special initiatives for promotional of technical education in the province, he explained.

He said that the exhibition would also helpful for introduction of recently launched Hunarmand Scheme, wherein special quota has been allocated for women entrepreneurs.

Mian Iftikhar said the government would extend every possible support for organising such business development activities in the province.

WCCI president, Sajida Zulfiqar while delivering her welcome said that the basic purpose was to organise exhibition to promote and showcase skilled work of female entrepreneurs.

She added that such business development activities have pivotal role to promote and access women businessmen products at national and international.

Sajida observed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa women have much potential to compete at national and international through their skilled work.

There was mere need to provide better opportunity to showcase their products in the market, she maintained.

Appreciating the launching of Hunarmand Scheme, she demanded of the government to increase its quota for women entrepreneurs.

More than 30 stalls were put on displayed in the trade fair, including handmade stuff embroidery outfits, jewellery, bed sheets, women shall, and other variety of female collection of clothes.

The Bank of Khyber had set-up an information desk for guidance of visitors regarding Bacha Akpal Rozar Scheme and recently launched Hunarmand Scheme.

A polio awareness stall was also set-up in the exhibition.

No comments: