Pakistan, March 10 -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government will integrate women associated with cottage industries and small businesses into the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, The News reported on Sunday.

The announcement was made on International Women's Day during a review meeting on ongoing reforms under the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda).

Speaking at the meeting, the prime minister emphasised the need for women's economic empowerment and directed authorities to provide essential capital and facilities on a priority basis to businesswomen in the cottage industry.

He also instructed measures to offer low-cost loans to women under the Youth Loan Scheme, enabling them to expan...