WIPO launches a new IP project for women entrepreneurs in embroidery and related crafts business in Pakistan

WIPO has launched a new project in partnership with IPO Pakistan and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan in Geneva to support more than 40 women Pakistani entrepreneurs in using IP tools to advance their embroidery and related crafts businesses.

The highly skilled artisans are facing numerous challenges in their journey as entrepreneurs.

“Despite these women’s immense talent and impeccable craftsmanship being an integral part of Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, their lack of understanding of intellectual property and lack of effective marketing skills in this digital world we are living in can prevent them from reaping the full benefits of their creations,” said WIPO Deputy Director-General for the Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS), Hasan Kleib “WIPO recognizes the importance of addressing these challenges and promoting greater access to IP tools and resources for women entrepreneurs. We shine a spotlight on this important project as a significant step forward in bridging the knowledge gap. By equipping these women entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and support related to IP, we aim to empower them to protect and capitalize on their creative works.”

According to a 2022 State Bank of Pakistan and World Bank report, more than 5 million SMEs are present in Pakistan, accounting for about 90% of all enterprises in the country and contributing 40% to the GDP of Pakistan. SMEs account for the majority of businesses worldwide and are important contributors to job creation and global economic development. Formal SMEs contribute up to 40% of national income in emerging economies, and these numbers are significantly higher when informal SMEs are included. Formal and informal SMEs form the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing significantly to employment generation, GDP growth, and poverty alleviation.

With the rise of social media, these artisans are looking to scale up their small-scale embroidery businesses and expand them to national and international markets.

Overall, the project aims to provide women entrepreneurs with the means to protect and commercialize their IP rights, unleashing their creativity and allowing them to contribute to the economic growth and development of Pakistan and beyond.

Background

The Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS) Projects Team, in close collaboration with IPO Pakistan and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan in Geneva, has developed a project entitled "Supporting Women Entrepreneurs in Embroidery and Related Crafts Business through IP, Branding, and Commercialization Strategies." The project aims to empower women entrepreneurs and businesses in Pakistan through IP, branding, and marketing strategies and skills to promote their products in the market and generate more profit from them. The project will be impact-oriented and implemented in phases, comprising a training component, mentoring component, and hands-on guidance. The project was launched in Multan, Pakistan, on June 20, 2023.