Infrastructural Development and Entrepreneurial Opportunities: Analyzing the Impact of KKH and CPEC on Women Entrepreneurship in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Sunana Alam ()
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Sunana Alam: Hohai University , School of Public Administration Department of Sociology

SN Business & Economics, 2025, vol. 5, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: Abstract The construction of infrastructure such as the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) alters local opportunity structures in Gilgit Baltistan. This study examines how those structural changes influence women’s attitudes and intentions to initiate or expand small locally-embedded enterprises (particularly in tourism and cottage industries). For this purpose, a mixed study on female entrepreneurs was conducted in the Hunza district. The participants were purposely recruited through snowball sampling. Regression analysis was considered for quantitative analysis, while thematic analysis was applied for the qualitative part. This research followed a convergent mixed-method design. The results showed that infrastructure development in Hunza creates new business opportunities for women entrepreneurs. In addition, it also expands the existing business opportunities for women. Because the increased infrastructural development in the Hunza Valley brought about CPEC, cities like Gilgit are easily accessible for women, and transportation within the Hunza District also improves, aiding in entrepreneurship opportunities. It is recommended that the local government provide training on entrepreneurship.

Keywords: Karakoram highway; CPEC; Infrastructure development; Entrepreneurial opportunities; Gilgit-Baltistan; Entrepreneurs’ attitudes and intentions; Business opportunities; Accessibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00981-x

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