By Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR: latest onsite event under Pakistan Single Window (PSW)’s ‘Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program’ took place in Peshawar on February 11th, 2025. Supported by LMKT and National Incubation Center (NIC) Peshawar, the event brought together over 50 women traders and entrepreneurs from Peshawar and surrounding areas, providing them with vital information and training on crucial aspects of cross-border trade, including the use of digital platforms for international marketing and B2B connectivity, e-commerce, customs procedures, and access to finance for scaling up businesses for exports.
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The event featured Rabia Basri, President of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Peshawar, as the chief guest. During her address, she emphasized the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs and highlighted the role of initiatives like the Khadijah program in creating opportunities for women to enter the international market. “We are excited to see the Khadijah program in Peshawar and are committed to supporting women in scaling their businesses for exports. By creating a more inclusive and equitable economic landscape, we can unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs in this region,” she said.
The event also included sessions led by industry experts, offering practical insights and guidance on topics like international marketing and branding, e-commerce, Tradeverse, the Trade Information Portal of Pakistan (TIPP), and access to finance and global markets. These sessions were aimed at equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in cross-border trade.
“The Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program aligns perfectly with NIC Peshawar’s mission to foster innovation and empower entrepreneurs in the KP region. By collaborating with PSW, we are ensuring that women entrepreneurs have access to the knowledge, resources, and networks needed to succeed in cross-border trade. This initiative is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem and strengthening the role of women in Pakistan’s economic growth.” — Asim Ishaq Khan, Director NIC Peshawar
The Khadijah program, recipient of WTO’s prize on “Global Award for Gender Equality in Trade” is part of PSW’s broader effort to increase female participation in international trade and aligns with the ongoing efforts by the Government of Pakistan and public and private sector partners to achieve gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. By offering practical solutions and sustained mechanisms for trading, PSW is creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to engage in cross-border trade. Recently, the program’s scope has been expanded to include cities like Sukkur, Quetta, and Peshawar that typically receive less attention on women entrepreneurship programs.
NIC Peshawar, a leading innovation hub for startups, has been playing a key role in fostering a supportive environment for women entrepreneurs in the region. Its partnership with PSW serves to integrate more women entrepreneurs to join the international supply chains and thrive in the global market.
