Turkish Consul General inaugurates ‘We Exhibit 2026’ in Sialkot
SIALKOT: Counsel General of Republic of Turkey in Pakistan Mehmet Eymen Simsek
and President Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sialkot (WCCIS) Dr Mariam Siddiqa inaugurated the fourth edition of “We Exhibit 2026” organized by the WCCIS .
Addressing the participants, Counsel General of Republic of Turkey in Pakistan Mehmet Eymen Simsek said that the relationships between Turkey and Pakistan are based on a strong bond of social and cultural relations.
Counsel General of Republic of Turkey said that Turkey and Pakistan have perfect relationships in political area, in defense and military area and:” We have great potential in trade domain”.
He said that the currently our trade volume is 1.2 to 1.3 billion dollars, but our target is 5 billion dollars. So talking about $5 billion trade volume target, achieving that of course is not possible without the women entrepreneurs. That’s why we attach great importance to such initiatives.
Mehmet Eymen Simsek said that the interest of the Turkish Airlines in Sialkot also signifies the importance of this area in economic and trade life.
“I hope WCCIS organization will mark a significant step forward in discovering new opportunities”, he added.
The president Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCIS) in her welcome address said that it is both an honor and privilege for me to welcome you to the fourth edition of “We Exhibit 2026” organized by WCCIS with partnership with TDAP Pakistan.
President WCCIS Dr Mariam Siddiqa said that “Today is not merely an inauguration of an exhibition. It is the celebration of women’s ambitions, resilience and economic leadership”.
The president WCCIS said that” I hope Counsel General of Republic of Turkey in Pakistan Mehmet Eymen Simsek visit to Sialkot would strengthen not only the economic and trade relationship between Sialkot business community and Turkey but I would say it would be more impactful regarding the women-owned businesses and women-led companies”.
She said: “This year, we are honored to have Trade Development Authority, TDAP, as our official event partner whose continuous support reflected a shared commitment to empowering women, exporters, and strengthening Pakistan’s trade ecosystem.
Dr. Mariam Siddiqa said:” Our mission is clear and unwavering to expand women’s economic participation, to ensure access to skill, finance, and markets, to advocate gender-responsive policies and to build a business environment where women do not merely participate, but they also compete globally.
Over the past four years, through seminars, training workshops, capacity building programs, we have helped women entrepreneurs move confidently towards export readiness, she said.
She said the WCCIS currently represents more than 200 registered women entrepreneurs from diverse business sectors. The Chamber also holds the unique distinction of being the only export-oriented women’s chamber in Pakistan to receive a commemorative postal stamp in recognition of its contributions at the third edition of WE-Exhibit.
Dr Mariam Siddiqa said that “WE-Exhibit 2026” features approximately 170 exhibitors, primarily from Sialkot, along with participants from other cities across Pakistan. This year, WCCIS is pleased to partner with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). As an export-oriented chamber, WCCIS has established a dedicated Export Pavilion comprising 28 stalls. The pavilion has been designed to showcase export quality products and to facilitate engagement with potential international buyers.
Senior Director General TDAP Fouzia Parveen Chaudhary said that Sialkot is an important economic center and the only export-oriented city in Pakistan.
Senior Director General TDAP said that the women entrepreneurs here are not new to trade they are exporters, innovators, employers and mentors. Their journeys demonstrate that Pakistani women can compete, comply with international standards and consistently deliver excellence.
She said that TDAP has reoriented its WEXNET model to a more decentralized and provincial approach by bringing opportunity closer to the entrepreneurs in their regions. We aim is to recognize regional strengths, respond to local challenges while ensuring national and international market linkages. In this context, WEXNET Peshawar which was held just last month, it marked the beginning of this journey, amplifying voices from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and facilitating cross-provincial linkages and “We Exhibit 2026” is the second milestone in this expanding platform and its significance is profound.
President SCCI Syed Ahtesham Mazhar paid tribute to all these courageous and hardworking business women who, despite limited resources, are not only supporting their families through dedication, innovation and determination, but are also playing a vital role in stabilizing the national economy.
President SCCI said that in a developing country like Pakistan, where almost half of the population consists of women, the concept of sustainable development is impossible without effectively including women in the economic mainstream. It is an encouraging reality that today women are proving their mettle in sectors such as textile, leather, sports goods, IT, e-commerce services, handicrafts, and surgical and beauty instruments.
Mazhar said that women led businesses and startups are not only giving a new dimension to the economy, but are also playing a prominent role in promoting exports and creating employment opportunities. However, we must also acknowledge the reality that women in the business field still face challenges such as access to financial resources, business networks, market linkages, and certain social barriers.
He said that it is my firm belief that if women are provided with favorable policies easy financing quality education and training and better access to markets they can play a much more effective and lasting role in the national economy.
I must mention here that industrial and trade exhibitions like “We Exhibit 2026” not only provide women entrepreneurs with the opportunity to introduce their products to the local market but also prepare them for international level exhibitions. Through such exhibitions, women get a valuable opportunity to understand direct consumer feedback, quality requirements and market trends which are indispensable for any successful business, he added.
He congratulated President WCCIS and her entire team on holding of this successful and wonderful event.
Commercial Attache Turkish Consulate Lahore Nurettin Demir, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Syed Ahtesham Mazhar, Senior Vice President (SVP) SCCI Muhammad Murad Arshad, Vice President SCCI Salman Sheikh, Senior Director General TDAP Fouzia Parveen Chaudhary, Director TDAP Dr. Shumila Sikandar, Deputy Director TDAP Marina Ghalib, Senior Vice President (SVP) WCCIS Gulzaib Waqas Awan, Vice President (VP) WCCIS Rubina Naveed, WCCIS Executive Committee Members and others were also present. APP
