Enterprising Centers: Getting a leg up from the Center for International Private Enterprise
Enterprise at its BestThe Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is an NGO, existing to support, nurture, encourage and make real private enterprise. This Washington-based organization with offices in countries such as Pakistan accepts that one solution does not fit all but nevertheless cross-regional learning may have a value and be a catalyst for success.
- Participants at the Young Entrepreneurs' Forum event. (Photo: CIPE Staff)
Track Record
CIPE has been around for 30 years, building up experience since the 1980s and sharing leading practices. Last year CIPE launched a Leading Practices Competition to draw attention to innovative projects. The 2012 winners include The Prosperity Foundation in Nepal, the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the capital city of Pakistan and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PakistanThe capital city Chamber of Commerce came in second in this competition. Pakistan is a country where almost 60 per cent of the population are under the age of 30 and unemployment continues to rise.
Step by StepThe Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has taken steps to unleash the economic potential of Pakistan’s youth.
Young Entrepreneurs ForumICCI created the Young Entrepreneurs Forum to motivate youth towards entrepreneurship so that young people can enter the business world, embark on an entrepreneurial career, and contribute positively to developing the national economy.
Youth ForumICCI held youth forums, conferences, and round tables to highlight entrepreneurship development.
Entrepreneurship, Microfinance, Skill development and Internship
University students, policy makers, academics, and young professionals deliberated important issues and recommended solutions. These recommendations have since been incorporated into Pakistan’s National Youth Policy.
However, ICCI action has gone past mere words with some real action.
Building LinksWhile ICCI was the first chamber in Pakistan to take such action, links between entrepreneurs and local chambers across the country continue to develop and the Entrepreneurship Development Center has been established to provide young entrepreneurs with the tools for success.
Entrepreneurship Development CenterThe Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), thanks to the support of a CIPE grant, launched its Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC). The EDC provides both guidance to those interested in setting up businesses, as well as assistance to current entrepreneurs seeking to promote their businesses.
Local universities will work with ICCI through the EDC to build links between academics and the business community, offering training programs to develop skills and build capacity. ICCI will ensure the sustainability of the EDC by contributing its own funds on an ongoing basis. In addition, the EDC will conduct research into issues of entrepreneurship, which will be publicized on the ICCI website.
The EDC will complement a previous ICCI initiative funded under a CIPE grant – the Young Entrepreneurship Forum – which seeks to promote young entrepreneurs through technical assistance forum. Here they discuss the challenges faced as young entrepreneurs and facilitate opportunities to advocate for policy reform.
Rooting Out CorruptionWith the support of Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), ICCI has completed the project “Addressing the Institutional Causes of Corruption” to improve the business environment in Pakistan by advocating for regulatory reform and help reduce corruption.
ICCI, through its Young Entrepreneur’s Forum, worked for over six months under a grant from CIPE Pakistan to survey entrepreneurs about their perceptions of corruption.
To share the findings of the survey, a conference was organized. Participants stressed the need to continue the process by holding conferences and round tables to further develop a plan to address the causes of corruption in partnership with public and private organizations.
CIPE has been building the Islamabad Chamber’s capacity to support youth entrepreneurship since 2007 with key initiatives including the Young Entrepreneur’s Forum, approval of youth policy, establishment of an Entrepreneurship Development Center, and the design and organization of two youth conferences. This latest effort helps to better understand one of the biggest obstacles faced by young entrepreneurs.
For more information about what the Chamber of Commerce and Industry is doing:
Concrete Action
The ICCI Youth Conference developed recommendations that were incorporated in the National Youth Policy of the Government of Pakistan.
Ministry of Youth Affairs has conferred Jinnah Youth Award and cash prize to ICCI on International Youth Day for promoting entrepreneurship culture among youth and taking effective initiatives for youth development.
The effort ensured significant representation of youth in the Executive Committee/Board that comes through a democratic election process.
Formation of Young Entrepreneurs Forum with a continuously growing membership.
Links between youth groups of local Chambers across the country have been created resulting in visible participation of youth in business associations’ activities and exchange.
The Entrepreneurship Development Center has been established and interaction with the universities has increased as groups of students regularly visit the Chamber to receive guidance on starting a business venture and the business process.
Through the Export Display Center, which will be completed within a year, incubation centers shall be established to develop new entrepreneurs.
Businessmen provide internships for university students so that they may experience the entrepreneurial culture.
Businessmen are now being encouraged to provide financial support for good business projects that are selected in business plan competitions.
Pakistan's Entrepreneurs
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