KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has announced a collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO) under the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP) programme to strengthen industry-academia linkages and promote entrepreneurship, supported by the FPCCI’s Launchpad Pakistan initiative.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said a training session would be held in April or May 2026 at the FPCCI head office in Karachi. The programme aims to equip youth, startups and women entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on enterprise development, investment readiness, access to finance and market expansion.
Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon said the collaboration, formalised in December 2024, reflects a shared vision to strengthen Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and build the capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises. He added that, following training sessions held in 2025, the initiative marks another step towards promoting innovation-led growth.
The training will include experts from UNIDO-ITPO, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Launchpad Pakistan and financial institutions, offering practical guidance to participants.
Magoon said stronger industry-academia linkages are essential to foster innovation, improve employability and create sustainable economic opportunities. He added that FPCCI has invited trade bodies, universities and academic institutions to nominate two representatives, preferably young or women entrepreneurs, for the programme.Selected participants will also have opportunities to connect with international networks for further business development and investment facilitation, he said.
