Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engr Shaukatullah has praised women for contributing towards the economic development of the country. By enabling them to make a more significant contribution towards the economic well-being of the country in general and their respective families in particular, a positive change can be ushered in for the overall socio-economic fabric of society, he stated addressing the chief guest at the “Roundtable Conference on Entrepreneurship Development Policy for Women in KP” organised by the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), Peshawar here at a local hotel on Tuesday.
The Governor appreciated the contribution which the chamber has been making in this respect and was further of the view that such initiatives can also prove to be of great help in projecting a soft image of the nation. Senior Advisor to Chief Minister, Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, provincial minister for Education, Atif Khan and Peshawar based Chief Manager of State Bank of Pakistan also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the plans which the provincial government as well as the bank have been opting for as their future strategies towards the economic well being of the province while, Nuzhat Rauf, President and Shamama Arbab, Vice President of the Chamber mentioned the working of the organisation and also highlighted the recommendations of the conference.
Responding to various points raised by various speakers at the moot which was attended by almost all the stake holders, especially representatives of financial institutions both working in public and private sectors as well as public opinion leaders, the Governor said, modern knowledge especially in the field of Information Technology have opened new avenues for women to make more significant contribution towards economic development of the country, apart from opting towards agriculture based cottage industries and skills development
In this connection he also referred to the available opportunities in FATA and desired that both the FATA and Women chambers of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the FATA Secretariat make a significant contribution towards women’s well being. “I am keenly interested in this respect and will also be available to make this possible”, he added.
Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, Senior Advisor to Chief Minister on Social Welfare and Environment, earlier speaking on this occasion said that their government seriously believed in empowering women and youth in the struggle for ensuring economic stability and development of the province and a committee was already engaged in making this possible. She added that they were expecting the media to contribute in promoting awareness; building opinion for materialisation of goals and enabling the people to benefit to the maximum.
Atif Khan, provincial minister for Education while referring to the recommendations of the Roundtable Conference suggested that the Chamber focus upon certain fields where women could be in a better position to contribute both for their own well being as well as for the development of the country. He also assured the Chamber of every possible support towards the achievement of its objective. Earlier, Shamama Arbab referring to recommendations of the moot also suggested that they be more generous towards the provision of loans to women entrepreneurs.
