Young entrepreneurs asked to opt for US programme

ATX-Pak Advance Programme connects entrepreneurs, investors, educators

LAHORE: Innovative and young Pakistani entrepreneurs should opt for the ATX-Pak Advance Programme in order to enter the US market in collaboration with their counterparts from Austin, Texas, USA, said ATX-Pak Business Development Programme founder Alica Dean.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, she said the second phase of the ATX-Pak Advance Programme was aimed at connecting entrepreneurs, investors, influencers and educators from Austin to their counterparts in Pakistan.

She added that the start-up community of Austin would be involved in the programme to transform the city into a major marketplace in a bid to send fashion garments to other American states while making use of the city’s prime location.

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“In this connection, certain incentives and facilities will be offered to Pakistani entrepreneurs,” Dean told businessmen.

The programme provided Pakistani businessmen with an opportunity to work alongside commercial partners in Austin and absorb skills from the unique retail experience offered by the city, she said.

The official pointed out that Austin had a growing textile and fashion industry and was emerging as a fashion-based e-commerce hub in the region. “An international design centre is planned to be established shortly in Texas to showcase designs from all over the world under one roof,” she elaborated.

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh hailed the ATX-Pak Advance Programme and voiced hope that it would assist Pakistani entrepreneurs in entering and exploring American markets.

He pointed out that Pakistan and the US had enjoyed excellent diplomatic, cultural and economic relations.

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“Pakistan and the US are steady trading partners and the US ranks first and fourth among the top exporting and importing countries for Pakistan respectively,” he said. “In 2018, almost 16% of Pakistan’s total exports made their way to the US market.”

Sheikh expressed satisfaction over the fact that bilateral trade was increasing every year.

He pointed out that there were numerous opportunities for US companies to enter into joint ventures with Pakistani enterprises and called for introducing cutting-edge US technologies in the energy sector of Pakistan, particularly in renewable energy.

“There are also countless opportunities for investment by the US companies in the emerging e-commerce sector of Pakistan,” the LCCI president said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2019.

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