Islamabad,17 April 2025 : Samina Fazil, founder president of the Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), stated that increasing women’s participation in business is a crucial need of the time to enable them to play a significant role in trade, industry, and policymaking. She emphasized the necessity of integrating women into the national mainstream and boosting their entrepreneurial contribution.
She further highlighted that the full inclusion of women in the economy is essential for stability and sustainable development. Fazil expressed these views while addressing a workshop on Financial Literacy Week, organized by IWCCI in collaboration with Askari Bank at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) headquarters.
On this occasion, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh stressed in his speech that women’s complete participation in the economy is vital for stability and sustainable growth. He emphasized the importance of encouraging women to engage in business and providing them with necessary facilities. The initiative aims to empower women entrepreneurs and enable them to play a key role in trade, industry, and policymaking.
Key Points:
Women’s Empowerment – Atif Ikram Sheikh believes that neglecting women’s empowerment makes no sense economically or business-wise, especially since women make up 52% of Pakistan’s population.
Financial & Digital Literacy – He stressed the importance of financial and digital literacy in empowering women, noting that Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of women’s business participation in the world.
FPCCI’s Initiative – To encourage more women in business, FPCCI has introduced a 50% discount on membership fees for women standing committees.
This effort is part of a broader mission to support women entrepreneurs and enhance their role in Pakistan’s economic development.
