Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) have jointly advanced the Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program by holding two specialised sessions in Sialkot and Gujranwala. The sessions were organised as part of continuing efforts to increase the participation of women in international trade and provide women led businesses with practical resources for entering and expanding in global markets. The engagements focused on digital trade tools, export compliance knowledge and sustainable business practices, with the objective of helping regional women entrepreneurs strengthen their ability to compete in international markets.
TDAP, through its Women Entrepreneurship Division, and PSW, through its digital trade facilitation platform, are working together to connect women led businesses with opportunities in international trade. Under their ongoing collaboration, the two organisations provide training, mentorship and market linkage tools to help women entrepreneurs understand global trade requirements and make greater use of digital platforms. The programme also addresses evolving sustainability requirements that businesses increasingly need to consider when seeking access to international markets.
In Sialkot, PSW and TDAP organised an interactive Focus Group Discussion under Phase 2 of the Khadijah Program in coordination with the Sialkot Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The session was designed to collect direct feedback from women exporters operating in the region and identify challenges affecting cross border trade operations. The insights gathered during the discussion will support efforts to refine digital trade facilitation tools and address operational difficulties faced by women businesses involved in international commerce.
Dr. Mariam Nouman, President of Sialkot Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the initiative and highlighted its relevance for the city’s export oriented manufacturing sector. Sialkot is an important industrial and export centre, and the session provided an opportunity to focus on the specific requirements of women entrepreneurs operating within its business environment. The programme seeks to support sustainable growth of female led businesses by providing access to relevant digital trade resources and helping entrepreneurs better understand the requirements associated with international markets.
In Gujranwala, PSW and TDAP conducted a comprehensive capacity building workshop for emerging and established women entrepreneurs. The session was organised in collaboration with GIFT University and the Gujranwala Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Participants received practical information covering customs procedures, e-commerce integration, digital marketing, access to finance and green trade standards. The workshop was intended to strengthen export readiness by giving women business owners greater understanding of the processes and tools involved in conducting international trade.
Dr. Muhammed Shahid Qureshi, Rector of GIFT University, and Ms. Yasmin Dawood, President of Gujranwala Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, acknowledged the joint initiative and its role in connecting academic and business stakeholders. The collaboration between PSW, TDAP, GIFT University and the Gujranwala Women Chamber provided a platform for combining educational resources with practical trade knowledge. The engagement also focused on expanding the preparedness of women entrepreneurs in the region to pursue export opportunities.
The Khadijah Program is positioned by PSW and TDAP as an important component of their efforts towards gender inclusive economic development and the modernisation of cross border trade. The initiative has received international recognition through the World Trade Organization Global Award for Gender Equality in Trade. The programme combines trade facilitation and capacity building while promoting digitally enabled, environmentally responsible and inclusive trade practices in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
Syed Aftab Haider, Chief Executive Officer of PSW, said bringing the Khadijah Program to major industrial centres such as Sialkot and Gujranwala reflects the organisation’s commitment to making cross border trade more accessible to entrepreneurs across Pakistan. He said Phase 2, which includes targeted Focus Group Discussions, provides an opportunity to hear directly from women exporters and use their feedback to develop a more inclusive and technology driven trade environment.
Ms. Fouzia Perveen Chaudhry, Additional Secretary and Head of the Women Entrepreneurship Division at TDAP, said the collaboration with PSW provides women entrepreneurs in key manufacturing cities with tools, training and market access resources required to compete internationally. She highlighted the importance of connecting women led businesses in Sialkot and Gujranwala with digital trade facilitation and sustainable trade practices as part of efforts to strengthen their role in Pakistan’s export sector.
Through the sessions in Sialkot and Gujranwala, PSW and TDAP are continuing their efforts to expand the reach of the Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program and provide women entrepreneurs with greater access to trade related knowledge and digital resources. The organisations aim to strengthen women’s participation in international commerce by combining training, market linkages, digital trade facilitation and sustainability focused practices, supporting women led businesses as they prepare for longer term participation in global markets.
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