ISLAMABAD: Meta, the company that owns Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger platforms, said on Wednesday it had joined hands with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to empower 500 women entrepreneurs and small businesses in the country. 

Meta launched its 'SheMeansBusiness' program in Pakistan in 2018 to empower women-owned enterprises to enter the digital economy, through skills training and business inspiration. Since 2018, the initiative says it has trained over 9,000 Pakistani women entrepreneurs. 

The announcement was made during the launching ceremony of an event titled: “The Digital Bridge: Advancing Financial Inclusion for Pakistan” in Karachi this week. The event was attended by officials of the Ministry of Commerce, Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and other prominent members of the telecommunication, banking, and business community. The launch of the second phase of SheMeansBusiness was announced at the event. 

“Small businesses play a crucial role to boost the country’s economy," Sima Kamil, SBP deputy governor, said according to a press release by Meta. 

"We are pleased to support Meta’s initiative to empower more women entrepreneurs and small businesses and help them scale their businesses in Pakistan. We hope that the knowledge they gain will also help them tap into export markets."

Beth Ann Lim, Meta’s director of policy programs, said Meta would provide opportunities to small business owners, especially women entrepreneurs, by upskilling them in the digital space and helping them develop their revenue generation streams. 

Ideas consultancy firm Demo will select the new participants of the program from Pakistan’s export-oriented chambers and the pool of small business owners that participated in the first phase of the SheMeansBusiness curriculum in Pakistan, the press release said.

"They will be equipped with tools and techniques needed to succeed in the competitive online landscape and scale their businesses."

One hundred participants will receive advanced training on export advertising from Dial Zero, Meta’s associated sales partner in the country, Meta said, adding that it would provide ad credits on Facebook to help participants bolster their presence by reaching target customers locally and globally.