The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a Rs. 50 million endowment fund to support economic development activities for women entrepreneurs and strengthen women-led businesses across the province.
The initiative was announced by Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam during a visit to the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Peshawar Division (WCCIPD). The measures follow proposals from the chamber aimed at improving access to finance, entrepreneurship development, and institutional support for women-owned businesses.
The provincial government has also committed Rs. 5 million to upgrade the Women Chamber and improve its capacity-building and facilitation services. It will further support a reduced-interest-rate subsidy for financing schemes proposed by the chamber.
Another initiative involves establishing a Women Incubation Center at WCCIPD to provide entrepreneurs with support for enterprise development, capacity building, and business growth.
WCCIPD President Qurat ul Ain welcomed the government’s support and said the measures could help translate policy proposals into practical economic initiatives through stronger government-private sector cooperation.
The chamber said its policy advocacy has focused on financing, market access, entrepreneurship development, capacity building, institutional infrastructure, and economic inclusion. It also highlighted opportunities for women in sectors such as food processing and agriculture-related businesses.
WCCIPD said it will continue working with the provincial government and other stakeholders to implement the measures and improve women’s access to economic opportunities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
