LAHORE: Handicrafts Association of Pakistan (HAP) delegation headed by its Chairperson Maryam Iqbal met with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar here at LCCI on Tuesday.
Other members of the delegation included Tanzeela Yusuf and Zeeshan Raja. During the meeting, LCCI President Kashif Anwar expressed his enthusiasm for women’s involvement in the Lahore Chamber and emphasized the need to address the challenges faced by women in the business world. He mentioned that Lahore Chamber has established a Women Empowerment Lounge and encouraged its utilization.
Kashif Anwar highlighted the active role played by the Lahore Chamber’s ADRC (Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre) and the various services and facilities available to members. He also mentioned the State Bank’s introduction of several subsidized schemes including up to Rs 10 million available through the SAAF scheme, and assured full support to the delegation in availing these opportunities.
LCCI President also announced that Lahore Chamber would be hosting an exhibition in December, urging women entrepreneurs to actively participate in it.
Maryam Iqbal, Chairperson of the Handicrafts Association, praised the progressive nature of the organization and expressed her desire to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lahore Chamber. She emphasized the importance of networking among women and highlighted that the Handicrafts Association has been a registered body for a decade with its headquarters in Lahore. Maryam Iqbal stressed that the organization’s main focus is networking and organizing events, leveraging its approximately 1000 members, and called on government and institutions to pay attention to their initiatives.
President LCCI acknowledged the pivotal role women play in economic development and shared his intention to collaborate further. He said collaboration between the Handicrafts Association of Pakistan and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds promise for empowering women in business and fostering economic growth in the region.