Key Points
- Women’s chambers submitted budget proposals for women-led businesses
- Calls were made for greater representation in policymaking bodies
- Ministry assures review of recommendations in the budget process
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Ministry assures the country’s women’s chambers of commerce and industry that it will consider budget proposals to promote greater economic inclusion and enhance representation in policymaking bodies.
Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani gave these assurances at a consultative meeting with representatives of Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry from across Pakistan.
The women’s chamber budget proposals include improved access to Special Economic Zones, expanded skills development programmes, and stronger institutional support for women-led enterprises across manufacturing, services and trade sectors.
The government’s pre-budget consultations are at a climax, as the annual fiscal policy is scheduled to be tabled in the National Assembly on June 10.
Preparations for the federal budget are underway, and input is sought from key business stakeholders.
The meeting brought together presidents, vice presidents, and delegates from around 40 women’s chambers representing Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Sargodha, Karachi, Korangi and other cities.
The delegation was led by Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Qurrat ul Ain.
Participants focused on removing barriers facing women entrepreneurs and proposed targeted reforms for inclusion in the upcoming budget.
Delegates also pressed for broader participation of women in economic policymaking forums.
They argued that stronger representation in advisory bodies and committees would improve the design and execution of development policies.
Several participants submitted written proposals for consideration during the ongoing budget formulation process.
Minister Kayani said the government is committed to creating economic opportunities for women and integrating them more fully into national development planning.
He said women are already contributing through various advisory platforms and added that efforts would continue to strengthen their role in decision-making structures.
He assured the delegation that their proposals would be considered as part of the budget process.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to supporting women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship initiatives across the country.
