ISLAMABAD: Azeeza Soleh, a resident of Chipersun Valley, which is located near the Afghanistan border in Hunza district in Gilgit-Baltistan, has been running an e-commerce business with the name of “Mountainshop” in her area for the last two years, which has registered 150 saleswomen so far.
Talking to WealthPK, Azeeza said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, she was in Hunza district, so she planned to start an online business due to lockdown. Initially, it was a general e-commerce idea based on online product selling. When she visited different areas of Hunza, she felt that the local women can make quality products, but they don’t have any good platform.
“Summer season always raises good business due to tourist influx in Gilgit-Baltistan, and there is always a dip in business during winters because of hard weather. So we had to raise awareness that online business is free from climate issues. The object is to make the women independent financially so that they can do business through Mountainshop online,” she said.
Azeeza has participated in the National Incubation Center (NIC) program where 3,000 individuals applied and 1,100 were shortlisted. She was one of those who registered their business ideas successfully. She now wants other women of her area to come forward like her and make their name in the business.
“We started the Mountainshop with 20 women who were our product sellers. Currently, 150 women are registered on Mountainshop, while by the end of 2022 our target is to register 200 women from Hunza,” she said.
The saleswomen pick the product from women merchants and sell and market them on Mountainshop.
Azeeza said she also helps the women if someone wants to register her business in concerned departments. “Registration on Mountainshop is free of cost, through which we link the women directly to market,” she said.
The Mountainshop owner said her platform presents handicrafts, gemstones, and Salajeet, and now they are planning to add the equipment of mountaineering.
“We trained many women who didn’t know how to use the online payment system. We are also in touch with Bank Alfalah for digital financial system assistance,” Azeeza said.
She said they are planning to add more features to their website for marketing of the products, and have also planned to launch some products with new brands and logo. So far, Mountainshop has not received any external investment. It plans to sustain its business first and then go for fund-raising.
Azeeza applauded the role of the NIC in promoting businesses. She said she was totally blank about business requirements before coming to the NIC.
“The NIC is doing a great job to lift the women from remote areas. I have gained business exposure with the help of the NIC, where I had a chance to meet renowned businessmen and startups trainers,” she said.
-INP
