Swat: The Swat Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been established to provide women entrepreneurs with a dedicated platform for representation and to promote their participation in business, industry and commercial activities.
Rubina Zafar was elected president of the newly established chamber, while Dr Yasmin Gul and Dr Maria were elected senior vice president and vice president, respectively. The elections were held on Monday at a ceremony attended by women from different walks of life, with Farzana Shams serving as the founder of the chamber.
The executive committee members include Farhana Shah, Maria Subhan, Haseena Bibi, Mussarat, Nusrat Iqbal, Shabana, Rubina, Iqbal Jahan, Bushra Ahmed, Zara Shah, Marwa Siraj, Saba and Sheba. Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected office-bearers and executive members pledged to make the chamber an effective platform for addressing issues faced by women in the business, industrial and commercial sectors.
The chamber leadership said women in Swat possessed significant business potential and skills but needed greater access to platforms, guidance, opportunities and markets. They said efforts would be made to highlight the concerns of women entrepreneurs before relevant institutions, create a conducive environment for expanding women-led businesses and promote women’s economic participation and contribution to the local economy.