Nationwide people festivals in Pakistan can change into the perfect enterprise hotspots for the agricultural SMEs, and their promotion at each nationwide and worldwide ranges can fetch a good-looking income for the state coffers, stated Federal Minister for Nationwide Heritage and Tradition Jamal Shah whereas speaking to WealthPK.
Speaking concerning the nationwide people festivals or cultural commerce festivals, he stated artisans and entrepreneurs/SMEs throughout the nation often be a part of them to showcase their merchandise.
About 68% of Pakistan’s complete inhabitants resides in rural areas and these platforms supply an ideal scope to earn alternatives and a sustainable livelihood for them.
Jamal stated that these festivals play a major position in bettering the agricultural financial system, particularly the cottage trade. They’re a type of rural/native commerce festivals providing a very good platform to showcase the native merchandise. From right here, the small-scale producers/native artisans get direct entry to each city and worldwide markets.
Persevering with the dialogue, he stated, “These festivals are a pleasant option to lead the agricultural communities to earn a excessive earnings. Participation in these festivals encourages the agricultural artisans and craftsmen to enhance their expertise and merchandise. Additionally they get entry to a various group of stakeholders, producers, authorities officers, and consumers. Such a linkage creates a form of community that brings new alternatives not just for the agricultural entrepreneurs however for the opposite SMEs as nicely.
“Culinary consultants are additionally part of these festivals. From nearly all components of the nation, they be a part of these festivals, present their expertise and get enterprise. Cultural preservation can be part of this sort of semi-cultural cottage trade. Promotion of rural enterprises and cottage industries is a supply of job creation, unemployment discount, and poverty alleviation.”
Jamal additional stated females play an important position within the cottage trade and rural financial actions. Additionally they convey their merchandise to those festivals and get new enterprise linkages. Profitable participation in nationwide people festivals additionally boosts the credibility of cottage industries to get authorities loans and grants to develop their maneuvers. Authorities help can be attracted by these actions to realize good incentives, subsidies, and infrastructure growth.
The coordination of all SMEs, authorities establishments, non-government businesses, and different stakeholders is necessary to make these festivals profitable by monitoring their weak factors. Capability-building insurance policies can be framed and needed coaching imparted after correct screening to strengthen this sector.
The sturdy sides might be enhanced extra by correct presentation, advertising and marketing, and worth addition. These festivals are additionally a supply of fostering cultural alternate and boosting tourism, added the federal minister.
Sharing his views concerning the significance of the Nationwide Folks Pageant, Zulfiqar Ahmad, head of media and communication on the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Trade (RCCI), stated this sort of pageant — referred to as “Lok Mela” within the native language — is a possible place to showcase the village crafts and different SMEs. A majority of these festivals or expos are organized for the cottage trade. They bring about alternatives for artisans, SMEs, and entrepreneurs engaged on a small scale, particularly females. Like in different international locations, spots needs to be fastened for them in all of the provinces, together with the federal capital. It would encourage the agricultural sector to point out their expertise and to earn a sustainable livelihood.
It is very important concentrate on the cottage industries within the nation as a result of they’re labor-intensive and assist cut back unemployment.
No less than 80% of the agricultural inhabitants is determined by the cottage trade. It requires much less capital however offers work alternatives at a big scale. Pakistan ought to concentrate on boosting this sector by selling the native festivals within the type of commerce festivals with joyful actions to draw an increasing number of individuals.