PSW, TDAP boost women’s access to global export markets

August 31, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) have intensified efforts to bring more women entrepreneurs into international trade through training, digital trade facilitation and market-access initiatives under the Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program.

The two institutions recently organized specialized engagements in Sialkot and Gujranwala to strengthen the export capabilities of women-led businesses. The sessions covered export compliance, digital trade solutions and sustainable business practices aimed at helping female entrepreneurs enter and compete in international markets, according to a news release issued Monday.

The collaboration between TDAP’s Women Entrepreneurship Division and PSW seeks to provide women-owned enterprises with practical training, mentorship and digital tools while connecting them with international trade opportunities, according to APP.

In Sialkot, PSW and TDAP held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) as part of Phase-II of the Khadijah Program in partnership with the Sialkot Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI).

The discussion brought together women exporters to highlight challenges faced in cross-border trade and provide feedback on existing trade processes. The insights gathered are expected to support the development of digital facilitation solutions tailored to the needs of women-led businesses.

Dr Mariam Nouman, President of Sialkot WCCI, welcomed the initiative, noting that it addressed the needs of the city’s export-focused manufacturing community and could support the long-term growth of women-owned enterprises.

A separate capacity-building workshop was conducted in Gujranwala in collaboration with GIFT University and Gujranwala WCCI. The workshop focused on customs requirements, e-commerce, digital marketing, financing opportunities and environmentally sustainable trade standards.

Dr Muhammed Shahid Qureshi, Rector of GIFT University, and Yasmin Dawood, President of Gujranwala WCCI, welcomed the partnership, highlighting its role in strengthening links between academia and industry and improving the export preparedness of women entrepreneurs.

The Khadijah Program forms part of broader PSW and TDAP efforts to facilitate cross-border commerce while advancing women’s participation in Pakistan’s economy. The initiative has also received the WTO Global Award for Gender Equality in Trade.

The program is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and combines trade facilitation with skills development, digital adoption, environmental responsibility and inclusive economic participation.

Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of PSW, said extending the Khadijah Program to industrial hubs such as Sialkot and Gujranwala demonstrated the institutions’ focus on improving access to international trade for entrepreneurs across the country.

He said Phase-II’s targeted focus group discussions would enable authorities to directly engage with women exporters and develop a more inclusive and technology-driven trade ecosystem.

Fouzia Perveen Chaudhry, Additional Secretary and Head of TDAP’s Women Entrepreneurship Division, said the partnership was equipping women entrepreneurs in major manufacturing centres with the knowledge, digital capabilities and market-access support needed to compete globally.

She added that connecting women-led businesses in Sialkot and Gujranwala with digital trade systems and sustainable practices could help strengthen Pakistan’s export base through greater resilience and innovation.

The latest engagements are expected to further improve women entrepreneurs’ access to export-related knowledge, digital trade infrastructure and international markets, supporting broader gender inclusion in Pakistan’s trade ecosystem.

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