PESHAWAR: Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday emphasised the importance of guiding and encouraging youth towards entrepreneurship for the development of the province and the country.

He expressed these views during his virtual address as the chief guest at the Investor Summit of the year-long Build Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) programme, organised by the Research Education Development (RED) International.

The event, which saw representatives from various enterprises, the US Consulate Peshawar, Arfa Karim Technology Incubator, and Beaconhouse School System (BSS), also featured youth participants from seven districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Swat, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and Mardan. Four of the best entrepreneurial ideas from these areas were awarded seed grants.

Governor Kundi highlighted the need for the business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to support and mentor the province’s talented youth.

He commended the successful completion of RED International’s initiative to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Abbottabad, Bannu, Kohat, Mardan, Peshawar, Swabi, and Swat, and congratulated the successful young entrepreneurs, particularly women, urging them to inspire other youth in their communities.

In her address, RED International’s executive director Bisma Mirza, and programme director Abid Hussain shared that 350 young individuals directly benefited from the programme, with an additional 1,600 benefiting indirectly. Fifty percent of the participants were women, and after a year of training, these young entrepreneurs were now taking practical steps in their ventures.

Robert Tate, Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate conveyed his written message, saying that the US Consulate was dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in Peshawar by providing resources, guidance, and networking opportunities to help them thrive, thereby creating job opportunities, enhancing prosperity, and strengthening ties with the United States.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2024