MULTAN, August 26th: Begum Sarwat Zahra has been elected as chairperson of women entrepreneurs committee of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI)at a meeting chaired by the Mian Mughis'A Sheikh convener and the most senior industrialist.Mian Mughis'A Sheikh said that Today in this competitive world, women entrepreneurs play significant role in the socio-economic development of all under developed countries like Pakistan. Women represent around 48% of Pakistan total population, while female employment participation is only 19-20%. As per Labour force survey of Pakistan , contribution of female labour is around 13.4% in Agriculture and only 6% are engaged in non-agriculture sector (formal: 2% and informal: 4%). This shows a significant potential for women empowerment and engagement in various sectors; such as light manufacturing i.e. garments (kids and ladies wear), leather products (traditional garments, shoes, etc.), home textiles, services, etc.He stressed the need for preparation of syllabus for the unskilled women .He said that there is dire need of training in carpet weaving, stitching,knitting, embroidery , fashion designing, Jewellery designing for economic empowerment of females from poor and low income families and majority of skilled women are benefiting and making income from their expertise that they had learnt from different centres. Some of the females are also financially supporting their families.He stressed the need for helping the females to stand on their own feet and to take a step towards female financial freedom through providing them skill in Tailoring & Dress Designing aiming at the empowerment of the rural poor females, for the better and secure future. Sarwat Zahra chairperson said that Multan Chamber had encouraged and developed the Women Entrepreneurs to improve competitiveness of the enterprising women who want to move from home-based business to a fuller commercial venture and start their own businesses. The pressing increase in demand for a bigger centre in Multan to house more entrepreneurs by other women in the vicinity depicts success of this initiative.Purpose of this initiative is to facilitate women entrepreneurs specially from rural areas; as a first step for southern Punjab by creating an exclusive female oriented environment
