The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a Rs50 million endowment fund to support economic development activities for women entrepreneurs across the province. The government has also committed additional resources to strengthen women-led businesses and improve their access to financial and institutional support.
The announcement was made by Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam during his recent visit to the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Peshawar Division. The measures were discussed following policy proposals presented by the chamber to improve financing opportunities, entrepreneurship development and support systems for women-owned businesses.
Along with the Rs50 million endowment fund, the provincial government has allocated Rs5 million for the upgrading of the Women Chamber. The funding will focus particularly on improving its capacity-building and facilitation functions, helping the chamber provide better support to women entrepreneurs.
The government has also agreed to support a reduced interest rate subsidy for financing schemes proposed by the chamber. The initiative is aimed at making business financing more accessible for women looking to establish or expand their enterprises.
Another major proposal involves establishing a Women Incubation Center at the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Peshawar Division. The center is expected to provide entrepreneurs with support in enterprise development, capacity building and business growth.
Women Chamber President Qurat ul Ain welcomed the government’s announcements and appreciated the support provided by Muzammil Aslam for the chamber’s proposals. She said cooperation between the government and private sector could help convert policy discussions into practical economic initiatives.
The chamber has been advocating for improvements in several areas, including access to finance, market opportunities, capacity building, entrepreneurship development, institutional infrastructure and greater economic inclusion for women.
Founder President Sajida Zulfiqar also highlighted areas where further opportunities could be developed, particularly in industrial activity and the productive use of available assets.
Shamama Arbab pointed to sector-specific opportunities for women entrepreneurs, especially in food processing and agriculture-related businesses. She called for targeted support and facilitation to help women establish and expand businesses in these sectors.
The Women Chamber said it would continue working with the provincial government and other stakeholders to implement the announced measures. The focus will remain on improving access to economic opportunities and creating stronger support systems for women entrepreneurs across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The new initiatives are expected to provide financial, institutional and business development support to women seeking to participate more actively in the province’s economy.
