Meta, in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the National Institute of Banking & Finance (NIBAF), and Demo, has launched the second phase of its esteemed “She Means Business” program in Pakistan. The program aims to digitally empower 500 women entrepreneurs and high-value small businesses by providing training, access to resources, and networking opportunities.
The inauguration ceremony of “The Digital Bridge: Advancing Financial Inclusion for Pakistan” took place in Karachi this week. Dignitaries from the Ministry of Commerce, Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as notable figures from the banking, telecommunication, and business communities, attended the event.
Sima Kamil, Deputy Governor of SBP, expressed her pleasure in supporting Meta’s initiative to empower women entrepreneurs and small businesses, acknowledging their significant role in boosting the country’s economy. She added that Meta’s program would equip participants with valuable knowledge that could help them tap into export markets.
Beth Ann Lim, Director of Policy Programmes for Meta, emphasized the organization’s commitment to Pakistan’s economic development through the empowerment of small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs. Meta aims to enhance their digital skills and assist them in establishing revenue-generating channels.
Demo will select new participants for the program from Pakistan’s export-oriented chambers, as well as small business owners who previously participated in the SheMeansBusiness curriculum. These participants will be provided with the necessary tools and techniques to thrive in the competitive online landscape and scale their businesses.
Dial Zero, Meta’s associated sales partner in Pakistan, will offer advanced training on export advertising to a total of 100 program participants. Moreover, Meta will provide ad credits on Facebook to help participants boost their presence and reach their target customers both locally and globally.
Riaz Chunara, Managing Director of NIBAF, appreciated the initiative and stressed the importance of equipping small businesses with digital tools and techniques to enhance their advertising effectiveness and expand their customer base. He emphasized that this support would not only increase their reach within Pakistan but also empower them to expand beyond its borders.
Since its launch in 2018, Meta’s She Means Business initiative has trained over 30,000 women across 51 cities in Pakistan, including AJK and GB, fostering their entrepreneurial growth and success.
