Karachi: In a strategic move aimed at bolstering industry-academia linkages and fostering entrepreneurship across Pakistan, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has joined forces with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO). This collaboration falls under the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP) Program Pakistan, with support from FPCCI’s LaunchPad Pakistan initiative.
According to Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, President Atif Ikram Sheikh announced that a training session is scheduled for April or May 2026 at the FPCCI Head Office in Karachi. The program seeks to provide youth, startups, and women entrepreneurs with essential skills in enterprise development, investment readiness, access to finance, and market expansion. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, has been entrusted to spearhead the program. He emphasized that the collaboration with UNIDO-ITPO, formalized in December 2024, aligns with a shared mission to enhance Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and elevate the capabilities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The training will be led by experts from UNIDO-ITPO, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Launchpad Pakistan, and various financial institutions, offering participants practical insights and guidance. Highlighting the significance of industry-academia collaboration, Mr. Magoon stated that connecting academia with industry is vital for fostering innovation, improving employability, and creating sustainable economic opportunities. He reiterated FPCCI’s dedication to building a platform where investors meet innovators, transforming ideas into viable businesses.
FPCCI has extended invitations to trade bodies, universities, and academic institutions to nominate representatives, preferably young entrepreneurs, innovators, or women entrepreneurs, for the training program. Selected participants will have the opportunity to connect with international networks for further business development and investment facilitation. Mr. Magoon affirmed FPCCI’s commitment to collaborating with national and international partners to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment, creating substantial opportunities for Pakistan’s youth and business community.