The Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce has demanded incentives for businesswomen in the upcoming budget. It said that the dream of national development could never become a reality by keeping most of the country’s population away from economic activities. In its budget proposals, the IWCCI has demanded an increase in the taxable income limit for businesswomen, saying that it will encourage them to join the document economy.

The founder president of the Islamabad Women’s Chamber, Samina Fazil, said in the budget proposals sent to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar that reports of heavy taxation on various sectors are disturbing. She noted that enhanced taxes would hurt the weak economy and reduce revenue rather than increase it.

Samina Fazil demanded that the obstacles in the way of women’s development be removed, and they should be provided with a better environment for businesses to play a positive role in the country’s development.

She further said that the taxable income limit of women should be increased from five hundred thousand to fifteen hundred thousand to encourage them to become part of the document economy.

In addition, she added that women entrepreneurs should be given a 30% share in the fund allocated for developing exports to develop their businesses.

She said that millions of girls complete their education every year, but there are fewer employment and business opportunities for them, which should be given attention for rapid national development.

Women entrepreneurs should be facilitated in business knowledge, affordable finance, skill development, and digital technology to play their due role in economic development.