Staff Report ISD: A seminar on “Cleantech Competition” was jointly organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (ICCI) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with the aim to create awareness in SMEs and start-up entrepreneurs to propel their business prospects to maximum by cultivating innovations in clean technologies.


The event was attended by large number of local SMEs and entrepreneurs. The event was a part of Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP) which is operated in 7 countries including Pakistan. Its objective is to augment and develop sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem by supporting clean technology innovations in SMEs thus enabling them to achieve sustainable growth.


Dr. Shaheena Waheed, National Program Coordinator, UNIDO Pakistan enumerated the significance of clean technologies in accord to SMEs. She emphasized SMEs to embrace clean technology innovations to bring green industrial revolution in the country and achieve elated outcomes. She further said that UNIDO was seeking to support Pakistani entrepreneurs with the best innovative ideas that confer solution to persisting energy, environmental challenges.


Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in his welcome addressthat SMEs and startup business were facing serious challenges to access finance for adopting clean technologies. He highlighted that government should create policy incentives and suggest some tools like innovative finance, clean technology development initiatives along with apposite legal and regulatory framework so to facilitate and encourage SMEs to focus on green innovative technology.


Muhammad Hammad Bashir Saeed, Project Technical Expert Cleantech Pakistan Program, UNIDO gave a comprehensive presentation on Cleantech Competition. He said, “Cleantech is a global competition aimed at encouraging SMEs to come up with new ideas for addressing issues in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency and waste to energy and contribute to fueling green industrial growth in the country.”


The 5 top ideas will be entitled to receive cash prizes ranging from US$ 15,000 to 20,000 also the winners will be given further mentorship and training in Silicon Valley, USA. All winners will be funded to participate in the Cleantech Opens Annual Global Forum to be held in Silicon Valley, USA in November 2015. The entrepreneurs with innovative ideas could apply online by May 30, 2015 at http://www.cleantechopen.com/pakistan

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