Saarc CCI seminar: entrepreneurial ecosystem termed key to foster economic cooperation

Entrepreneurial ecosystem is the key to foster region co-operation in South Asia and a tool to address unemployment and poverty in the region. This was emphasised by speakers addressing at seminar "Youth & Entrepreneurship: Challenges & Prospects in South Asia" organised by Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation on Jul 15, 2015 at a local hotel.
The speakers urged upon the need for engaging youth in entrepreneurial activities and suggested skill development plan to unleash the potential of youth in Pakistan and South Asia. Dr Ansir Rajput, Dean Corporate linkages, MAJU, Islamabad who was invited as a lead presenter identified challenges and opportunities for young entrepreneurs within and outside the region, stating that western model were unsuitable for young entrepreneurs of Pakistan. He called upon both public and private sectors to come forward and provide enabling environment to young population which constituted over 40 percent of population of Pakistan.
While addressing the session, chief guest Asad Umer Former CEO & President, Engro Corporation, and Member National Assembly said that South Asian youth need visionary leadership that could engage them in economic development process. "We need to ensure provision of seed capital, loans, mentoring and guidance to our youth to engage them in entrepreneurship, which is important for an inclusive growth and prosperous future," Umer added.
Iqbal Tabish while moderated the seminar said that 26 percent of the total world young population resided in South Asia, which indicated enormous potential. If governments focus on Human resource development and groom young population particularly unleash entrepreneurial capabilities, they could change fate of region. Earlier, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice President Saarc CCI (Pakistan) in his welcome address shared his success story and advised young entrepreneurs to be consistent and committed if they desired to attain high level of success.
SM Muneer, CEO of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan said that PM youth Loan programme aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in Pakistan and students passing out from colleges and universities should avail that opportunity. "Creating employment opportunities is better than seeking employment opportunities," added CEO, TDAP.-PR