Lums inaugurates incubation programmes

The Lahore University of Management Sciences Centre for Entrepreneurship (LCE) has inducted its inaugural cohorts for two signature programmes: the LCE Idea Launch Incubation programme and the Slingshot Accelerator programme as per a press release.

Start-ups inducted into both programmes will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures to a panel of investors, successful founders, and venture capitalists at the Investor Summit held at the conclusion of their training. This summit will offer participants a platform to secure potential funding, forge strategic partnerships, and gain insights that can accelerate their growth.

The inaugural cohorts comprise 25 start-ups in the LCE Idea Launch Incubation programme and 10 start-ups in the Slingshot Accelerator programme, all tackling challenges ranging from educational technology and artificial intelligence to sustainability and financial services.

Pakistan Cables expands ASCEND

Pakistan Cables announced partnering with two Pakistani engineering universities for a second round of ASCEND, the company’s flagship programme to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects among women in Pakistan as per a press release.

Launched in 2021 in collaboration with NED University, Karachi, ASCEND is focused on empowering talented female electrical engineering students and offers industry exposure to students. With the addition of Mehran University, Pakistan Cables aims to broaden its impact by providing more opportunities for female students to excel in STEM fields by offering need-based scholarships and internships to talented female students leading up to their graduation.

Pakistan-China B2B investment meeting

Pakistan and China’s first business-to-business (B2B) investment meeting on fisheries, organised in Qingdao, Shandong province on Oct 29 and sponsored by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, was the first in a series of sector-specific meetings to foster joint ventures and partnerships between Pakistani and Chinese companies as per a press release. The event is a follow-up to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China in June 2024 to further promote trade and investment between the two countries. Of the companies that participated in the event, 45 were Chinese companies and 28 were Pakistani.

The event concluded with the signing of 11 memorandums of understanding (MoU) and one contract between Pakistani and Chinese companies worth $64 million. The event was part of six planned events to facilitate B2B interactions and offer platforms for dialogue and partnership to enhance trade and investment between Pakistan and China.

Crackdown against illegal products

Director Conformity Assessment, Islamabad Zone, Ali Bux Soomro assigned Conformity Assessment Officers of Islamabad Zone to conduct a crackdown against illegal/sub-standards and non-licensed products as per a press release.

In this regard, Mohsin Khan, Assistant Director and Husam Bin Tawseen, Field Officer conducted a market surveillance of food and non-food mandatory products.

Managers of departmental stores were given notices to avoid stocking unlicensed mandatory food and non-food items/brands. They were also warned that in case of non-compliance, the illegal/un-licensed items will be confiscated and strict legal action will be taken.

According to the spokesperson, the Director General PSQCA, Taufique Ali Abbasi has directed a massive crackdown to eradicate illegal, substandard and non-compliant items from the market. She emphasised that it is the topmost priority of PSQCA to ensure public health, safety and to protect the rights of consumers across the country.

PIDC house branch renovated

Rehmat Ali Hasnie, President NBP inaugurated the newly renovated Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation House Branch as per a press release.

The President congratulated all those who worked tirelessly for completion of the project and recognised the efforts of Logistics, Communications, and Marketing Group and especially the Engineering team. He emphasised the importance of upkeep of Branches and enhanced customer experience.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, November 4th, 2024