SAARC Chamber Council Brings Women Entrepreneurs of South Asia under one Roof

Islamabad :SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneur Council organized Women’s Business Conference in Islamabad on 29 June 2022. The conference was also addressed by the eminent personalities from South Asian Member countries including India, Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The conference was organized with theme “Building Future: Women Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Shaping the New Normal.”

Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Member National Assembly was chief guest at the occasion. She said “ South Asia can unlock the hidden potential of its human development with the provision of enabling a holistic environment in which women can translate their ideas into successful business ventures.”

The inaugural session was also addressed by Ms. Afsana Rahimi, Chairperson SCWEC (Afghanistan Chapter), Ms. Birgit Lamm, Head of Country Office Pakistan, FNF, Mirza Abdul Rehman, Coordinator, FPCCI Capital Office, Mr. Zubair Ahmed Malik, Executive Committee Member, SAARC CCI, Ms. Riffat Malik, Vice President, FPCCI and Ms. Hina Mansab Khan, Vice Chairperson, SCWEC (Pakistan Chapter).

 Ms. Afsana Rahimi, Chairperson SCWEC (Afghanistan Chapter) in her welcome address, emphasized on the current situation of women entrepreneurs of Afghanistan, their participation in business, public presence and the challenges they are facing after the pandemic.

 Ms. Birgit Lamm, Head of Country Office Pakistan, FNF spoke about necessity driven entrepreneurship in South Asia.

Mirza Abdul Rehman, Coordinator, FPCCI Capital Office on behalf of President FPCCI appreciated the efforts of SCWEC and the role of women entrepreneurs. He was of the opinion that prosperity in any sector without the involvement of women is impossible.

Mr. Zubair Ahmed Malik acknowledged the role of SCWEC and how it has engaged the women of South Asia to promote e-commerce, women startups, digital media marketing tools and gender smart innovations.

The conference comprised of three sessions which were chaired by the renowned mentors, Ms. Sahibzadi Mahin Khan, Ms. Urooj Mansab Khan and Ms. Zubia Zubair. The speakers included Ms. Fareeha Ummar, Portfolio Manager, UN Women, Dr. Rakhshanda Perveen, Founder and CEO, Kafe Kaam, Ms. Habiba Siddiqui, Director, Afghanistan Green Future Organization, Afghanistan, Ms. Archana Bhatnagar, President Madhya Pradesh Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Jabalpur, India, Dr. Farzana, Group Chairperson, City Schools Pakistan, Ms. Sarojani Sherchan, Vice Chairperson, SCWEC, Ms. Ambreen Zaman, Senior Manager Thematic Strategies, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Riffat Malik, Vice President FPCCI, Ms. Shaiyanne Malik, CEO, SamanZar, and Ms. Hira Zainab, Secretary General, PASHA.

In last two years, the women business gathering was not possible due to Pandemic.

Ms. Hina Mansab Khan, Vice Chairperson SCWEC, thanked SCCI, FNF, FPCCI, public sector organizations and the speakers for their valuable input and suggestions. Mr. Iftikhar Ali Malik, President, SCCI and Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, Vice President SCCI (Pakistan), in a message to the women leadership extended their full support in strengthening the culture of Women Entrepreneurship in South Asia.

Dr Rakhshanda Perveen says in her separate statement:

“Representing my beloved Pakistan at the SAARC forum was indeed an honour My panel included delegates from Afghanistan & India as well. Receiving Sam’s D.Sam appreciation, so much respect from inspiring talented successful businesswomen like Fareiha Irfan of Needle Art & Handicraft , meeting alumni from NMW & NSW like Shaayane Malik, medical college days friends and adorable juniors like Dr.Nusrat Manzoor & Dr.Irum and positive feedback from many other women participants made my day.