FPCCI & UNIDO – ITPO Bahrain Exchange Letters of Consent for Promotion of Entrepreneurship in Pakistan

Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has apprised that FPCCI and UNIDO – ITPO Bahrain
have exchanged letters of consent for the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
and women entrepreneurs in Pakistan through setting up of Enterprise Development and Investment
Promotion Program (EDIP) centers at FPCCI Head Office, Federation House, Karachi.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI and H.E. Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman
Board of Trustees, International Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation UNIDO – ITPO Bahrain,
signed the letters of consent at Federation House; and, attended by leading business personalities of
various SME sectors of Pakistan; women entrepreneurs and representatives of large public & private
sector universities.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, said that EDIP centers in FPCCI would play a positive role in
supporting women and youth startups, entrepreneurs, MSMEs and innovators. He highlighted that
specialized capacity building programs for entrepreneurs will ensure a conducive entrepreneurship and
innovation ecosystem.

Mr. Magoon added that FPCCI priorities include quickly integrating and aligning MSMEs with larger
industrial units; allocating special spaces for them in special economic zones (SEZs); providing skilled
and technical education and ensuring the provision of special facilities and interest-free loans.

These incentives aim to promote SMEs in rural areas and curb migration towards major cities. He also
announced Joint Mega Event “Sustainable Tourism Forum of Islamic Chamber of Commerce &
Development (ICCD) and FPCCI scheduled on 30-31 January 2025 at FPCCI in Karachi.

Addressing the session, Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that International Centre for
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in collaboration with the UNIDO –ITPO Bahrain is keen on forging a
strategic partnership with FPCCI in promoting domestic investment leading to the mobilization of foreign
direct investment (FDI) through the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Program (EDIP).

EDIP will significantly support women and youth start-ups, entrepreneurs, MSMEs and innovators.
Establishing EDIP centers within FPCCI and organizing specialized capacity building programs will
undoubtedly create a robust entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Pakistan for women and youth
– thus allowing a stronger partnership between Pakistan and Arab Entrepreneurs, Sheikh Ebrahim Bin
Khalifa Al Khalifa added.