ICCI organizes Youth Forum
Staff Report

Islamabad—Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with Center for International Private Enterprises (CIPE), a U.S. Chamber of Commerce affiliated organization organized a Youth Forum for the young entrepreneurs, in which a large number of young entrepreneurs and students participated.
Mr.Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry speaking at this occasion said that young generation is the future of Pakistan and with good and quality education; they can contribute well in the economic development of Pakistan . He said that the purpose of the Youth Forum was to provide a platform to the young entrepreneurs to discuss and debate on the entrepreneurial issues and to provide them the opportunity to talk on the policy issues. He said these programs also focus that how youth can be become successful entrepreneurs, because our country requires contribution of youth in business oriented activities. He said that our youth is very talented but there is a need to harness their potential through trainings and development programs, so as to make them a useful entity.
President said that it is encouraging that public and private institutions are focusing on the practical education and are preparing good lot of students, who are proving their metal in businesses as well as in the organization in which they work. He said that in Pakistan about 50% population is comprised of people below the age of 10 years, and they should be provided better opportunities through education and technical trainings.
Mr.Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, said that Chamber shall arrange further programs for youth and women entrepreneurs. He said that our government is focusing on women empowerment, which chamber fully supports, because for the economic development, women should be given equal opportunities in the businesses, so they could come forward and prove their potential. He said that Chamber shall arrange women entrepreneurial programs, to give them exposure of international marketing practices, required to excel in the business. President thanked CIPE for its collaboration with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry for supporting such programs.
Mr.Hammad Saddique, Program Consultant said that CIPE is working in Pakistan for the growth of trade bodies and aim to aid these organizations to act as useful entities. He said that Youth of our nation is an asset and there is a need to change the mindset to make them successful entrepreneurs.
Mr.Hammad said that that educational institute should also work on entrepreneurial development programs instead of just producing such a lot of students, which are not equipped with the desired skills and knowledge. He said that knowledge based generation, should be prepared that can help Pakistan in achievement of its economic goals.
The participants of the forum highly appreciated initiative of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry for organizing such an event that provided them excellent opportunity to share their experience and to discuss important entrepreneurship issues and demand for such programs in future as well. Participants of the forum highlighted lack of financing, acceptance of ideas, practices exposure, and hurdles by various public sectors organizations to start a business. The said that youth should be provided financing by the government to encourage them to start their own businesses.