Islamabad inaugurated its first marketplace dedicated exclusively to women entrepreneurs in G-11 sector. MNA and Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar opened the Women Enterprise Market at a ceremony. The Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized the event with Capital Development Authority, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, and JazzCash.
The initiative addresses stark gender disparities in Pakistan’s business sector. Women constitute only 1% of entrepreneurs compared to 21% for men according to data shared at the event. The facility operates entirely on cashless transactions designed to integrate female business owners into formal financial systems.
Imtiaz Ali, Senior Deputy Chief Manager at State Bank of Pakistan, explained the cashless model. The model aims to strengthen women entrepreneurs’ practical financial capabilities and their connection to formal banking channels. Samina Fazil, IWCCI Founder President, described the project as a historic first for the capital.
Fazil stated Islamabad never before offered dedicated commercial space built around women-led businesses. Naima Ansari, former Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stated marketplaces supporting women entrepreneurs were long overdue. The event highlighted wider challenge of improving women’s participation in entrepreneurship and formal finance.
Women receive small share of SME lending according to industry statistics. The G-11 Women Enterprise Market introduces broader efforts to address these challenges. The marketplace offers dedicated commercial space combined with digital payment systems supporting female business owners.
Nearly half of Pakistan’s estimated population of 240 million are female. This makes it vital for economic growth to enable half the country’s population to do business and become economically independent.
