ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan Thursday said the government had taken several steps to encourage women toward import exports business.
During question-hour in the Senate he said as part of such efforts, 15 percent quota had been reserved for women entrepreneurs to participate in the international trade fairs, exhibitions and delegations, adding 50 percent subsidy on participation fee was also provided to women entrepreneurs.
He said WEXNET was organized as the only exhibition for the women entrepreneurs in Pakistan by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, providing women entrepreneurs with the opportunities to exhibit their products, network and learn to collaborate with each other for mutual benefits.
He said the Export Development Fund (EDF) Board had recently approved funds for the Women Entrepreneurs Skill Development Programme (WSDP), Peshawar to train the women entrepreneurs in marketing skills and product design.
Replying to another question, the minister said Pakistan imported around 51,000 tons of powdered milk from worldwide sources during 2015-16, adding the major exporters of powdered milk to Pakistan include US, France, New Zealand, India and EU.
He said powdered milk was imported to cater to the domestic demand for direct and indirect consumption. He added the powdered milk was directly consumed by the children/babies and used as tea or coffee whitener. He said the indirect consumption of powdered milk was by dairy industry as raw material for confectioneries, bakery items or sweets and pasteurized milk.—APP
