Karachi: A significant partnership was formalized between the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) Geneva, focusing on enhancing the market competitiveness of women-led businesses in Pakistan.

According to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on August 8, 2024, at the KCCI headquarters. The agreement was inked by Iftikhar Ahmed Shaikh, President of KCCI, Escipion Joaquin Oliveira Gomez, Director of the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions at ITC, and Junaid Makda, former President of KCCI and Chairman of the Special Committee for International/Legal Affairs and Implementation of MOUs/ICC/WCF. The ceremony was attended by key members of the KCCI managing committee, signifying the importance of this initiative.

The MoU sets the stage for a collaborative effort to support and promote women entrepreneurs, particularly in the sectors of textiles, apparel, women’s accessories, and home décor. In addition to the signing, a two-day training workshop on Digital Marketing and Canva was conducted by ITC at KCCI, which benefited over 50 women-led businesses by enhancing their skills in branding, online presence, and marketing material design.

This partnership is expected to yield substantial progress in empowering women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, driving forward economic inclusion and business competitiveness in the global marketplace.