RAWALPINDI: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar on Tuesday said under the Kamyab Jawan Programme, one million applications have been received in just 15 days.

“The number of female applicants is 190,000. Under the youth entrepreneurship scheme, a transparent and fair procedure has been adopted to distribute loans under the scheme,” he said while speaking at a ceremony held to mark the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Week at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Tuesday.

Mr Dar informed the audience that Rs100 billion have been earmarked for Kamyab Jawan Programme.

“Business plans will be shared with the all chambers. The chamber will be included in policy-making. The role of the Rawalpindi chamber in promoting entrepreneurship is commendable,” he said.

Says business plans to be shared with all chambers

The special assistant said under the programme, Rs12 billion have been earmarked for skilled development training so that the youth could be exposed to emerging technologies.

“A startup programme under the umbrella of the Higher Education Commission. Youth card scheme is also being introduced to give discounts to youth. The establishment of the national youth development foundation is also under consideration,” he said.

He said the economic indicators had been improved, the current account deficit was in surplus and exports were showing positive growth.

Earlier, RCCI President Saboor Malik said the Rawalpindi chamber had taken the initiative to be a part of global entrepreneurship week as a step to facilitate youth, develop stronger private sector, assist the innovators and support the idea of entrepreneurship as a career opportunity.

He emphasised on universities to provide such opportunities so that students can polish their skills and knowledge about entrepreneurship. Youth is our future and it’s our collective responsibility to provide them an environment where they can seek business opportunities over job opportunities. Students now are very keen to learn e-commerce, mobile apps and blogging, he added.

Group leader Sohail Altaf in his address asked students to develop skills and knowledge and contribute to the prosperity of their country.

Country Director Hashoo Foundation, Ayesha Khan, Pakistan Institute of Entrepreneurship Chief Executive Officer Tahir Chaudhry, top executives of RCCI and members from the academia and a large number of students attended the ceremony.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2019