British High Commission organises panel discussion on ‘Social Entrepreneurship’
The British High Commission organised a panel discussion on ‘Social Entrepreneurship’ today at the National University for Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad.
As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, this initiative aims at inspiring young entrepreneurs from across Pakistan and helping them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.
Renowned entrepreneur and anchor, Sidra Iqbal moderated the session which comprised of Mr. Arif Masud Mirza, Head of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Pakistan, Mr. Jonathan Williams, Head of Chevening Pakistan and Press Attaché at the British High Commission Islamabad.
The panellists stressed that social entrepreneurs could become the drivers of innovation. They also debated that entrepreneurs can also expand opportunities to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, which will benefit Pakistani society at large.
Speaking at the occasion, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Patrick Moody, said:
The discussion today has shown that social entrepreneurship can be a valuable tool for any country and can change many lives. Here in Pakistan, there is huge potential to use entrepreneurship as a solution for not only economical problems, but also for unemployment and for social welfare services. This is one of the reasons the UK is supporting the growth of a vibrant, resilient, and innovative small and micro business sector in Pakistan. Over the next few years, the UK will help over a million poor people access microfinance, 60 per cent of whom are women. We will support entrepreneurs across Pakistan and nurture innovation by providing thousands of loans to small businesses. We are also providing vocational skills training to some of the poorest people in Punjab enabling them to get jobs and earn money on their own.
Pakistan and the UK share longstanding cultural, historic and business ties. We stand with Pakistan, specifically its talented young people, to help them strengthen their society using entrepreneurship as an effective tool.
Contact:
Press Attaché, British High Commission, Islamabad; tel. 0300 500 5306