Seminar on Women Entrepreneurship by TDAP at University of Swat

University of Swat organized a seminar in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), on Women Entrepreneurship on June 11, 2025, at the University of Swat main campus. The seminar aimed to inspire, inform, and empower women—particularly students and aspiring entrepreneurs—by highlighting the growing opportunities available to them in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. On this occasion, Mr. Numan Basheer, Director General of TDAP, addressed the participants and provided a comprehensive overview of TDAP’s initiatives focused on promoting women-led businesses. He stressed the critical role women play in national economic development and urged them to leverage government-backed platforms and support networks to launch and scale their ventures. He also highlighted TDAP’s support programs in product development, export training, and access to international markets tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs.
Mr. Mohammad Haroon, Deputy Chief of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), elaborated on several entrepreneurship and financial support schemes offered by SBP for women, such as low-interest loans under the SME Finance Policy, Refinance Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs, and digital banking services to simplify business transactions. He emphasized SBP’s commitment to enhancing financial inclusion for women. Mr. Abdul Samad, Resident Shariah Board Member of the Bank of Khyber (KPK), discussed the availability of Shariah-compliant financing models, including Islamic microfinance and business incubation support tailored for women in rural and semi-urban areas. He encouraged participants to explore Halal-certified entrepreneurial paths with institutional backing.
The seminar was hosted by Center for Management and commerce CMC and the Provost Office of University of Swat, under the directives of the Honorable Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Hassan Sher. The Director General of TDAP extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for his continuous support in promoting entrepreneurship among the youth and facilitating such impactful initiatives. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where female participants actively engaged with the guest speakers, inquiring about startup procedures, business plan development, and access to government grants. The seminar served as a valuable platform to connect young women with key stakeholders and resources that can help them become successful entrepreneurs and contributors to Pakistan’s economy.