RCCI to establish women
business incubation centre
RAWALPINDI (INP): RCCI will soon establish Women Business Incubation Centre (WBIC) to help women entrepreneurs to establish and run their own businesses. In connection with its establishment the first session, titled Coffee Morning, was held at RCCI here on Saturday. President RCCI, Mian Humayun Parvez in his welcome note said that creating opportunities and empowering women in entrepreneurship has always been Chamber’s priority. The main purpose of this initiative was to provide women a platform to excel in the field of entrepreneurship, he added. President further said that Coffee Morning will be a monthly recurrence program and an active participation of women entrepreneurs is required to make it a successful event.
RCCI’s executive member Ms Munaza Rahim apprised women entrepreneurs related to the membership process of the chamber and provided guidance in detail.
During an interactive session, guest speakers, Chairperson Women Entrepreneur, Ms Mehvish Afridi, Executive Director Pakistan Education and Development Foundation (PEAD) Ms Samina Imtiaz, Ms Kanwl Naseer and Rida Imran shared their experiences and success stories with the participants.

Share of Islamic banking in
system to reach 50pc in 2020
KARACHI (Online): Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Ashraf Mahmood Wathra has said that future of Islamic banking is bright in the country and share of Islamic banking in banking system of Pakistan will stand at 50 percent in 2020. He was addressing inaugural ceremony of first branchless Islamic Banking Service “ U-Paisa” in a local hotel. The first branchless Islamic banking service has been jointly launched by Meezan Bank and U-Fone. He held that branchless banking is need of hour. “We are entering into an ear wherein traditional banking is being replaced by branchless banking at rapid pace. Such mobile phone financial services will serve as catalyst in spurring economic growth of the country.

Commercialisation of agri
produce imperative: Dr Iqrar
FAISALABAD (APP): Value-addition and commercialization of agriculture produce has become imperative for economic development of the country and in this connection a new facility of food and nutrition has been added in UAF. In an interview with APP, Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan, UAF vice chancellor, said the UAF was working to develop and market seedless kinnow to cater to the needs of international buyers. UAF has also developed 10 new varieties of most exotic Pakistani fruit mango which will be suitable for export purposes. Dr Iqrar was of the view that university was also working on renewable energy resources and treatment of waste water which will help Pakistan to overcome its energy and water related problems.

He disclosed that within next couple of months, a new project will be launched for the treatment of waste water of Paharang drain. It would not only help in resolving the environment related issues but also help in recycling of waste water.

EDB publishes second edition of goods directory
SIALKOT (APP): The Engineering Development Board (EDB) has complied a directory of engineering goods exporters 2015. The directory contains database of more than 170 exporters and reflects the efforts of EDB for effectively promoting engineering capabilities of the local industry. The directory will serve as tool not only for enhancing the scope of trade activities but would also bring opportunities for the business development and networking among foreign investors and companies exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan. The first edition of this directory was published in 2013 and was widely distributed and had received acknowledgement from different quarters.

Fish farming risk-free business

MULTAN (APP): Deputy Director Fisheries Department Multan Rana Riasat Ali said that fish farming is risk-free business, urging the fish farmers to set up maximum farms. He said that 105 licenses were issued to fishermen for hunting of fish from rivers and canals during current month. He said that the teams were raiding on daily basis at the fish hunting areas to control the illegal fish hunting. He said that nurseries for breeding of fish seed would be made functional from March-2016 while fish seed would be available for fish farmers from July on cheaper rates. Rana Riasat said that they have written a letter to provincial government to enhance the nursery area for breeding of fish seed in Multan division. He said that 105,000 fish seed had produced during last year in Multan.
He said that the department would also conduct workshops and seminars to create awareness among people about benefits of fish farming.