BISP, AHAN, TCS sign MoU on E-Commerce

Islamabad

Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Aik Hunar Aik Nagar (AHAN) and TCS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at BISP Secretariat for promotion of handicraft skills of BISP beneficiaries providing better access to their products in national and international markets.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi Minister of State and BISP Chairperson MNA Marvi Memon, AHAN Chairperson Shireen Arshad Khan, BISP Secretary Muhammad Saleem Ahmed Ranjha, AHAN Chief Executive Officer Naveed Sheikh, TCS Regional Director Farrukh Nadeem, Ministry of Commerce Joint Secretary Fareena Mazhar and several parliamentarians diplomats representatives of NGOs civil society media and government and international organisations were present on the occasion of E-Commerce MoU signing ceremony.

AHAN is a non for profit organization working under administrative control of Ministry of Industries and Production Government of Pakistan.

It focuses on generating non traditional employment opportunities in rural areas by adopting and indigenising the One Village One Product (OVOP) concept of Japan and One Tambon One Product (OTOP) of Thailand said a press release.

The objective of signing MoU is to alleviate poverty in rural and semi urban areas of Pakistan by supporting rural based micro and small enterprises engaged in the production of non farm goods.

On the occasion Minister for Industries and Production appreciated the initiative taken by BISP.

He said the initiation of cooperation among the organisations is a quite important step and will give international recognition to the traditional products of the country.

Market access to the products of marginalized segments will contribute in their welfare and the effects of such measures will also give boost to the economy of Pakistan.

BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon on the occasion said this initiative is a founding stone of economic empowerment for BISP beneficiaries as it will introduce them to the national and international markets.  The mandate of BISP is to provide financial assistance to 5.2 million beneficiaries to meet their basic needs however such initiatives will help them to improve their economic condition and will also assist the country in accomplishing the SDGs.

She added that BISP is committed to give dignity empowerment and meaning of life to its beneficiaries through financial inclusion as envisioned by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  After exchanging data between BISP and AHAN beneficiaries across the country are identified for enrolling them with AHAN for polishing their skills and connecting them to the markets.