Bureau Report
Muzaffarabad, AJK: The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry AJK (WCCI-AJK), together with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and SMEDA, held training sessions at two locations in Muzaffarabad to narrow the financial inclusion gap for women entrepreneurs. Themed “Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs of AJK,” the sessions covered financing options, banking procedures and barriers to institutional credit.
Organized under President Dr. Sidra Azad, the sessions were attended by SBP AJK Region’s Additional Director Ehtesham, SMEDA officials Ch. Rukhsar and Naseem Ali, and National Bank of Pakistan trainer Farrukh Javed, along with WCCI-AJK office-bearers and a large number of businesswomen.
Participants raised concerns about the difficulties women-led businesses face in accessing formal banking and praised the organizers for the initiative.
WCCI-AJK reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for accessible financing, stronger institutional linkages and targeted support for home-based enterprises, cottage industries, startups and small businesses, stressing that financial inclusion is vital for growth, jobs and women’s empowerment.
