ISLAMABAD: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has partnered with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to “digitally empower 500 women entrepreneurs and other high-value small businesses,” as stated in a press release issued on Wednesday.
The collaboration aims to provide training, access to resources, and networking opportunities to achieve the goal of empowering women entrepreneurs and small businesses in the digital realm.
The launching ceremony for the initiative, titled “The Digital Bridge: Advancing Financial Inclusion for Pakistan,” took place earlier this week in Karachi. The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and prominent members of the telecommunications, banking, and business communities.
Meta stated that consulting agency Demo will select participants for the program from Pakistan’s export-oriented chambers and the pool of small business owners who previously participated in the SheMeansBusiness curriculum during the first phase of the initiative in 2018. Over 30,000 women across 51 cities in Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, received training through SheMeansBusiness.
Meta Aims to Equip Women Entrepreneurs with Tools and Techniques
According to the press release, the participants will be equipped with the necessary tools and techniques to thrive in the competitive online landscape and scale their businesses.
Sima Kamil, Deputy Governor of SBP, emphasized the crucial role of small businesses in boosting the country’s economy. She expressed the central bank’s support for Meta’s initiative and its commitment to empowering more women entrepreneurs and small businesses, helping them expand and tap into export markets.
Beth Ann Lim, Director of Policy Programs at Meta, stated that the organization is dedicated to supporting Pakistan’s economic growth by empowering small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, through digital upskilling and revenue generation development. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration with SBP, NIBAF (National Institute of Banking & Finance), and Demo, and their collective efforts to unlock the potential of women-owned businesses and create a more equitable society.
Riaz Chunara, Managing Director of NIBAF, commended the initiative, highlighting the importance of equipping small businesses with the necessary tools and techniques to leverage the digital space effectively. He emphasized that this support not only expands their reach within Pakistan but also encourages them to explore opportunities beyond national borders.
