KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has launched its flagship ‘Home to Hub Initiative’ to transform women entrepreneurs from small home-based ventures into structured, export-ready businesses capable of competing in international markets.
The inaugural event was held at the FPCCI Head Office, Federation House, Karachi on Wednesday, where FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh announced the launch of a structured roadmap to support women-led enterprises through capacity building, formalisation, market access and export facilitation.
Sheikh said the initiative will integrate women entrepreneurs into mainstream commerce by providing them with the tools, networks and institutional support needed to expand their businesses and access global markets.
The launch event was attended by emerging and established women entrepreneurs, university students, business mentors and representatives of financial institutions. Key partner organisations, including the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Pakistan Single Window, shared insights on business planning, financing options and international trade procedures.
SM Tanveer highlighted the broader economic significance of the initiative, saying the transition of women-led businesses from informal home-based operations into scalable commercial ventures is essential for increasing their contribution to economic activity.
FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon said the organisation is committed to ensuring that women entrepreneurs had access to networking opportunities, financing and facilitation mechanisms to help them connect with global supply chains.
FPCCI Vice President and Regional Chairman Sindh Abdul Mohamin Khan said the initiative is structured around six key objectives: inspire, inform, connect, classify, register and validate participating entrepreneurs.
FPCCI Vice President Qurratul Ain said empowering women-owned businesses and creating pathways to international markets will contribute to more inclusive economic growth in Pakistan.
The initiative was spearheaded by Naheed Masud, who outlined a roadmap for developing sector-based clusters in areas including information technology and digital services, fashion and textiles, and health and nutrition. Participants will be registered in a digital database to facilitate targeted mentorship, access to financing and export development support.
