KARACHI: Atif Ikram Sheikh, president of the FPCCI, has 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 Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
The visit marks another important milestone in strengthening cooperation between FPCCI and UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain for the promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, vocational training and private sector development in Pakistan, he added.
AtifIkram Sheikh highlighted that FPCCI attaches great importance to its collaboration with UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain and remains committed to working closely with international organizations to create new opportunities for the business community, particularly women and young entrepreneurs – through capacity building, technology transfer, international networking and sustainable economic development.
During his three-day visit to Karachi, Dr. Hashim Hussain held a series of productive meetings at the FPCCI Headquarters with Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, senior vice president of the FPCCI, to discuss matters of mutual interest relating to SMEs, women and youth entrepreneurship, vocational and technical training, investment promotion, access to finance, international networking and other initiatives for private sector development.
Senior officials of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) also participated in the meeting and exchanged views on enhancing institutional cooperation between FPCCI, TDAP and UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain.
Dr. Hashim Hussain also held an interactive session with women and young entrepreneurs at FPCCI, where participants highlighted the need for greater international networking, vocational and technical training, improved access to finance, business mentoring and support in exploring new export markets.
He appreciated the enthusiasm of the participants and reaffirmed UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship development through knowledge sharing, capacity building and international collaboration.
In another meeting, Dr. Hashim Hussain interacted with members of the business community from Balochistan to discuss measures for promoting economic activities in the province through vocational training, entrepreneurship development, knowledge enhancement, establishment of trading centres and improved market access.
The participants emphasized the need for technical assistance and institutional support to unlock the province’s economic potential.
Dr. Hashim Hussain also met entrepreneurs registered under FPCCI’s Launchpad Programme, where discussions focused on innovation, startup development, international networking, access to finance, interaction with foreign counterparts and emerging opportunities in technology-driven enterprises.
He appreciated FPCCI’s Launchpad Programme as a valuable initiative for nurturing young entrepreneurs and promoting innovative businesses in Pakistan.
As part of his visit, Dr. Hashim Hussain called on the president and senior management of Meezan Bank at its Head Office. The meeting discussed expanding financial support for SMEs, strengthening corporate, commercial and investment banking services, and exploring collaborative initiatives to facilitate entrepreneurship, industrial development and sustainable economic growth.
Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed confidence that the visit of Dr. Hashim Hussain would further strengthen the long-standing cooperation between FPCCI and UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain and pave the way for concrete joint initiatives in entrepreneurship development, SME support, investment promotion, innovation, skills development and international business collaboration.
He reaffirmed FPCCI’s commitment to serving as an effective bridge between Pakistan’s private sector and leading international development organizations for the socioeconomic progress of the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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