Karachi, July 7, 2022: As part of his July 6-9 trip to Karachi, U.S. Department of State Special Representative (S/R) for Commercial and Business Affairs Dilawar Syed visited the National Incubation Center, Karachi (NICK), on July 7 for a range of engagements with Pakistani officials, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
S/R Syed met with Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin ul Haque to discuss how the United States and Pakistan can cooperate to strengthen Pakistan’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Following the meeting, S/R Syed toured the center with NICK officials and met with Pakistani entrepreneurs.
While at NICK, S/R Syed also spoke at a panel on “Promoting U.S.-Pakistan Innovation and Investment.” Also participating were Atif Rais Khan, Founder and CEO of technology company LMKT, and Dr. Syed Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of the Institute of Business Administration. Moderated by journalist Ariba Shahid, the event highlighted Pakistan’s entrepreneurial potential and how to expand it.
“The United States will keep working to expand our bilateral trade, boost investment, and expand entrepreneurial and educational opportunities for all as part of our effort to build on 75 years of U.S.-Pakistan economic cooperation,” S/R Syed said.
Following the panel, S/R Syed participated in a roundtable with Pakistani women entrepreneurs who have successfully established their own businesses. Highlighting U.S. support for empowering Pakistani women and girls, S/R Syed stressed the importance of nurturing sustainable and inclusive economic growth for Pakistan’s long-term prosperity. “Boosting digital and financial literacy for women and marginalized groups, for example, will help ensure Pakistan can realize its entrepreneurial potential,” he said.
