Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Center for International Enterprise (CIPE) organized a ceremony to celebrate the Women International Day 2016. Esam Alqararah, UNIDO Representative was the Chief Guest. Sheikh Pervez Ahmed Senior Vice President, Sheikh Abdul Waheed Vice President ICCI, Ms. Amina Malik, PML(N) Women Wing Punjab Vice President, Ms. Nasira Ali Executive Member ICCI & Chairperson ICCI Women Affairs Committee, Ms. Zeenat Ayesha Chairperson ICCI Women Entrepreneurship Committee, Dr. Shahina Waheed National Program Coordinator UNIDO and many other women entrepreneurs were present in the event.

At this occasion, ICCI launched “Women Business Growth Centre” (WBGC) to focus on promotion of women entrepreneurship which was the first initiative of its kind in the private sector. WBGC will work for facilitating the existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs in growth of businesses. It will coordinate with various entities to facilitate women entrepreneurs in business registration process, connect them with financial institutions for easy access to finance, provide them mentorship, counselling and other services to facilitate them in better growth of business ventures.

UNIDO in collaboration with ICCI also launched “Women in Cleantech Campaign” which aimed at encouraging women entrepreneurs to embrace clean technology products that offered immense potential for business growth.

Speaking at the occasion, Esam Alqararah, UNIDO Representative and Chief Guest of the ceremony said that cooperation between UNIDO and ICCI was achieving positive outcomes for business community as UNIDO in collaboration with ICCI has launched many successful initiatives including Global Cleantech Program for SMEs and Start Ups. He said the launch of “Women in Cleantech Campaign” from the platform of ICCI was another step in the right direction to inculcate the importance of clean technologies in women entrepreneurs that have a bright future. He assured that UNIDO would continue to collaborate with ICCI in initiatives aimed at industrial and entrepreneurship development.

Ms. Amina Malik, PML(N) Women Wing Punjab Vice President and Chairman FPCCI International Trade & Investment Committee said women have vital role in the economic development of the country and assured for support in e-training and capacity building programs for women. She said she would try to achieve better funding from the government for projects aimed at women empowerment.

Sheikh Pervez Ahmed Senior Vice President, Sheikh Abdul Waheed Vice President ICCI, Ms. Nasira Ali Chairperson Executive Member & ICCI Women Affairs Committee and Ms. Zeenat Ayesha Chairperson ICCI Women Entrepreneurship Committee also spoke at the occasion. They said that ICCI has already taken initiatives for women empowerment through fostering entrepreneurship spirit in women and launch of Women Business Growth Centre was another achievement in that direction. They said women development was key focus of ICCI activities and Chamber will continue to take initiatives for encouraging maximum women to adopt entrepreneurship as a career that offered great opportunities for growth and prosperity.