KARACHI (special crosspondent) – Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), has warmly welcomed the visit of Dr. Hashim Hussain, Head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization – Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO), Bahrain, to the FPCCI headquarters. This engagement represents a significant step forward in enhancing cooperation between FPCCI and UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain, specifically aimed at fostering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, vocational training, and private sector development within Pakistan.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh emphasised the high value FPCCI places on its partnership with UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain. He reiterated the organisation’s dedication to collaborating closely with international bodies to generate new avenues for the business community, with a particular focus on women and young entrepreneurs. This will be achieved through initiatives such as capacity building, technology transfer, international networking, and promoting sustainable economic development.

Key Discussions and Engagements

During his three-day visit to Karachi, Dr. Hashim Hussain participated in a series of productive meetings at the FPCCI Headquarters with Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President FPCCI. Discussions centred on shared interests concerning SMEs, entrepreneurship among women and youth, vocational and technical training, investment promotion, enhancing access to finance, fostering international networks, and other strategies for private sector growth. Senior officials from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) also attended, contributing to discussions on strengthening institutional cooperation among FPCCI, TDAP, and UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain.

Interactive Sessions and Provincial Focus

Dr. Hashim Hussain also led an interactive session for women and young entrepreneurs at FPCCI. Participants voiced a strong need for expanded international networking opportunities, enhanced vocational and technical training programmes, improved access to financial resources, business mentoring, and support in identifying and penetrating new export markets. Dr. Hussain commended the participants’ enthusiasm and reaffirmed UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship through knowledge exchange, capacity development, and international collaboration.

In a separate meeting, Dr. Hashim Hussain engaged with business community members from Balochistan to explore strategies for stimulating economic activities within the province. Key areas discussed included vocational training, entrepreneurship development, knowledge enhancement, the establishment of trading centres, and improving market access. The participants stressed the critical need for technical assistance and institutional support to fully harness the province’s economic potential.

Nurturing Innovation and Startups

Furthermore, Dr. Hashim Hussain met with entrepreneurs enrolled in FPCCI’s Launchpad Programme. The discussions focused on crucial aspects such as fostering innovation, developing startups, building international connections, securing access to finance, facilitating interaction with international counterparts, and identifying emerging opportunities within technology-driven enterprises. Dr. Hussain lauded FPCCI’s Launchpad Programme as an invaluable initiative for cultivating young entrepreneurs and promoting innovative businesses across Pakistan.

Financial Sector Collaboration

As part of his itinerary, Dr. Hashim Hussain paid a courtesy call to the President and senior management of Meezan Bank at their Head Office. The meeting addressed the potential for expanding financial support for SMEs, reinforcing corporate, commercial, and investment banking services, and exploring collaborative ventures to stimulate entrepreneurship, industrial development, and sustainable economic expansion.

Future Outlook

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed strong conviction that Dr. Hashim Hussain’s visit would significantly bolster the enduring cooperation between FPCCI and UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain. He anticipates that this collaboration will pave the way for tangible joint initiatives in entrepreneurship development, SME support, investment promotion, innovation, skills enhancement, and international business collaboration. He reaffirmed FPCCI’s unwavering commitment to serving as an effective conduit between Pakistan’s private sector and prominent international development organisations, thereby contributing to the nation’s socio-economic progress.

Brig Iftikhar Opel, SI (M), Retd., Secretary General, also contributed to the discussions and collaboration efforts.