Islamabad — A delegation of the Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCI) Peshawar Division has called for the introduction of a formal Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification framework to improve access to finance, procurement opportunities, and policy support for women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
The delegation met Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad and presented a set of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the formal economy and improving institutional support for women-led enterprises.
Call for formal certification and policy reforms
Led by WCCI President Ms Quratulain, along with senior office-bearers Ms Zara Imtiaz and Ms Saba Hidayat, the delegation proposed that WOSB certification be issued through women chambers of commerce. They argued that the system would help identify genuine women-owned businesses and ensure targeted access to tax incentives, procurement quotas, and government support programmes.
The chamber also highlighted broader structural challenges, including limited access to credit, difficulties in securing industrial plots, tax-related concerns, and procedural barriers involving regulatory bodies.
Push for procurement quota and business opportunities
The delegation further recommended a dedicated public procurement quota for certified women-owned businesses, saying it would expand market access and strengthen women-led small and medium enterprises.
Other proposals included greater representation of women on corporate boards, inclusion in trade delegations, and the establishment of dedicated exhibition spaces for women-led enterprises to promote exports and visibility.
Government response and commitment
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb acknowledged the role of women entrepreneurs in economic development and assured the delegation that the government is committed to improving inclusion in economic decision-making.
He said efforts would be made to expand access to credit through risk-sharing mechanisms, consider subsidized industrial plots, and encourage women’s participation in trade delegations and corporate leadership roles. He also emphasized that harassment by tax authorities would not be tolerated and reiterated support for ongoing tax reforms.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continued engagement between the Ministry of Finance and WCCI Peshawar Division on policy measures aimed at supporting women-led businesses.
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