Empowering women entrepreneurs for global trade need of the hour: FPCCI

LAHORE, Jul 16 (APP):Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Ms. Qurrat ul Ain Thursday emphasized that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential for achieving sustainable economic growth, expanding Pakistan’s export base, and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.

She stated that ensuring women’s access to international markets, advanced skills, modern technology, and export opportunities has become an economic imperative.

She expressed these views while addressing Round Table II: “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs for Global Trade” as the chief guest at a conference jointly organized by the Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FWCCI) and Pakistan Women Export Facilitation Centre here.

Addressing the participants, Ms. Qurratul Ain observed that women’s economic empowerment is not only a catalyst for individual prosperity but also a cornerstone of national economic resilience and export-led development. She said that women entrepreneurs possess tremendous potential to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economy, provided they are equipped with a conducive business environment, financial inclusion, technological innovation, capacity-building opportunities, and access to international markets.

She reaffirmed FPCCI’s unwavering commitment to promoting women-led enterprises and strengthening the role of women in the country’s economic landscape. She added that the Federation fully supports initiatives that facilitate women’s integration into global value chains and international trade, enabling them to compete effectively in global markets.

The FPCCI Vice President further stressed that the government, private sector, development partners, and business organizations must work in close collaboration to formulate a comprehensive strategy for enhancing women’s entrepreneurial capacity. Such collective efforts, she noted, would accelerate sustainable economic growth, promote inclusive development, and substantially increase Pakistan’s export potential.

The conference was also addressed by Ms. Shahida Aftab, President of the Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ms. Rubina Amjad, Founding President of FWCCI; Ms. Kanwal Saeed, Advisor to the President of FWCCI; and the Presidents of various Women Chambers of Commerce.

The speakers highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships, institutional collaboration, capacity building, and improved market access to enable women entrepreneurs to play a more dynamic and influential role in international trade.

In his keynote address, Mr. Mehmet Emin Simsek, Consul General of the Republic of Turkiye in Lahore, reaffirmed Turkiye’s strong commitment to promoting women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurial development, and active participation in international commerce. He expressed confidence that enhanced trade, investment, and collaboration between women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Turkiye would further strengthen bilateral economic relations, create new business opportunities, and contribute to regional prosperity.

The conference was attended by the Honorary Consuls General of Kyrgyzstan, Greece, Kazakhstan, Portugal, and Tunisia, as well as the Presidents of the Lahore Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), and WCCIs of Sahiwal, Sargodha, Gilgit, Layyah and Sialkot. The participants unanimously emphasized the need for greater international cooperation, stronger institutional support, enhanced capacity building, and expanded market access to empower women entrepreneurs and strengthen their meaningful participation in global trade.