Pakistan is preparing to launch its first National Women Entrepreneurship Policy, a comprehensive framework aimed at improving financial inclusion for women. The policy will provide dedicated financing, customized banking products, and expanded support programs at federal and provincial levels.
The initiative also operationalizes the State Bank’s Banking on Equality guidelines and SECP’s Women Equality in Finance Policy. It targets measurable outcomes including raising women’s employment from 2% to 5%, increasing women exporters by 50%, and expanding co-working spaces by 20%.
Additionally, 15% of the SME Fund will be allocated to women entrepreneurs, while 5% of the Export Development Fund will support women-led export initiatives. The policy also aims to provide at least 100,000 women with access to business information and support 20% of BISP beneficiaries in high-risk disaster zones.
A key feature is the AI-enabled Women Entrepreneurship Portal connecting women to support organizations, regulators, and mentorship opportunities. Other initiatives include digital training, reskilling programs, and climate-smart business support. The policy also focuses on product development, linking women to grants, global exhibitions, and green financing projects.
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