The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) have stepped up efforts to increase women’s participation in international trade through targeted training, digital trade facilitation and market-linkage initiatives under the Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program.
PSW, TDAP step up efforts to empower women entrepreneurs for global trade
ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP):The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) have stepped up efforts to increase women’s participation in international trade through targeted training, digital trade facilitation and market-linkage initiatives under the Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program.
The two organizations recently held specialized sessions in Sialkot and Gujranwala, aimed at equipping women entrepreneurs with practical knowledge of export compliance, digital trade tools and sustainable business practices to help them expand their businesses into international markets, a news release said on Monday.
Through the partnership, TDAP’s Women Entrepreneurship Division and PSW’s digital trade facilitation platform were working to connect female-led businesses with global trade opportunities by providing structured training, mentorship and market access tools.
In Sialkot, PSW and TDAP conducted an interactive Focus Group Discussion (FGD) under Phase-II of the Khadijah Program in collaboration with the Sialkot Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI).
The session provided an opportunity for local women exporters to share their experiences and identify operational bottlenecks in cross-border trade, helping refine digital trade facilitation tools according to their specific needs.
Dr Mariam Nouman, President of Sialkot WCCI, appreciated the initiative, saying it addressed the requirements of the city’s export-oriented manufacturing sector and would help promote sustainable growth of women-led businesses.
In Gujranwala, a comprehensive capacity-building workshop was organized in collaboration with GIFT University and Gujranwala WCCI, focusing on customs procedures, e-commerce integration, digital marketing, access to finance and green trade standards.
Dr Muhammed Shahid Qureshi, Rector of GIFT University, and Yasmin Dawood, President of Gujranwala WCCI, appreciated the collaborative initiative, describing it as an effective effort to bridge academia and industry while enhancing export readiness among women entrepreneurs.
The Khadijah Program is a key component of PSW and TDAP’s efforts to modernize cross-border trade and promote gender-inclusive economic development. The initiative has also been recognized with the WTO Global Award for Gender Equality in Trade.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, the program combines trade facilitation with capacity building while promoting digitally enabled, environmentally responsible and inclusive trade practices.
Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of PSW, said bringing the Khadijah Program to major industrial centres such as Sialkot and Gujranwala reflected the commitment to making cross-border trade more accessible to entrepreneurs across Pakistan.
“Advancing into Phase 2 with targeted Focus Group Discussions allows us to listen directly to women exporters and build an inclusive, technology-driven trade ecosystem,” he added.
Fouzia Perveen Chaudhry, Additional Secretary/Head of Women Entrepreneurship Division, TDAP, said the collaboration with PSW was providing women entrepreneurs in key manufacturing cities with the tools, training and market access required to compete in global markets.
“By connecting local talent in Sialkot and Gujranwala with digital trade facilitation and sustainable trade practices, we are helping women-led businesses lead Pakistan’s export growth with resilience and innovation,” she added.
The joint engagements are aimed at further strengthening Pakistan’s trade ecosystem by ensuring greater access for women entrepreneurs to digital tools, export knowledge and international market opportunities.
