UN, banks, multinationals to participate in largest women’s expo

Islamabad: Different agencies of United Nations, banks, multinationals, mobile operators, embassies, NGOs and CDA have assured participation in Islamabad Expo 2013, the largest women’s exhibition in Pakistan.

This was disclosed by said Naima Ansari, Chairperson Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) Standing Committee on Fairs and Exhibitions while speaking to women entrepreneurs.

It will be a great learning, shopping and entertainment experience for the participants, she said adding that the expo will provide an opportunity to women from various backgrounds to share their work and goals towards a prosperous future.

We aim to focus on young women entrepreneurs and promote their products in the country and abroad for their empowerment, said Naima Ansari.

This will be an opening for women dealing in handmade garments, arts and crafts, home decor, marble mosaic and inlay, gems and jewellery, furniture, stones and decoration pieces, wallets, mobile covers, and foods representing every part and culture of Pakistan.

Naima Ansari said that enabling women to market their products and help them learn and discover new opportunities, get connected and show their talent is our goal.

At the occasion founder president IWCCI Samina Fazil said that female artisans are underpaid and under-represented who need encouragement, collaboration, networking, promotion and guidance.

Women are facing imbalances including substantially lower returns than men while encouraging women creativity will benefit the economy, Samina Fazil added.

Farida Rashid, President IWCCI said that our women possess creative skills that need to be polished which will promote and encourage them.

We will continue efforts to help women attain economic freedom through different empowerment initiatives, she said.

Government should take steps to build capacity, and improve visibility of women through close cooperation with all the women’s chambers and related NGOs, Farida Rashid stressed.

We are pinning high hopes in the mega event in which women from across Pakistan and Saarc countries are participating.