Usman Ghani stresses business mentorship and market access for young entrepreneurs

By Farzana Chaudhry Lahore Pakistan

LAHORE: Senior Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Sardar Usman Ghani, has emphasized that easy access to affordable financing is essential for startups, young entrepreneurs and women-led businesses to transform their ideas into viable enterprises and generate employment opportunities.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a UNICEF delegation led by Ramiz Behbudov, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF.

Sardar Usman Ghani said startups often faced financial constraints, limited business guidance and difficulties accessing markets, particularly during their initial stages. He said providing loans and other financial facilities on affordable terms could help overcome these challenges, promote entrepreneurship and encourage self-employment among young people.

He stressed that young entrepreneurs needed not only financial support but also business mentorship, market access and an enabling environment to establish and expand their ventures. Supporting startups, he added, could generate employment, encourage innovation and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The LCCI Senior Vice President also highlighted the importance of providing women entrepreneurs with equal opportunities, adequate financial assistance and effective business guidance. Greater participation of women in economic activities, he said, could increase household incomes, strengthen entrepreneurship and contribute to the national economy.

He said young people should be encouraged not only to seek jobs but also to establish businesses, introduce innovative ideas and become job creators. Achieving this objective required stronger collaboration among financial institutions, government departments, the private sector and development organisations.

Describing Pakistan’s youth as a valuable national asset, Sardar Usman Ghani said their potential must be channelled into productive economic activities. He expressed hope that cooperation among relevant institutions would be strengthened to promote youth development, economic inclusion and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Ramiz Behbudov agreed with the views expressed by the LCCI Senior Vice President and highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in developing young people’s capabilities, expanding access to opportunities and ensuring their meaningful participation in society and the economy.

He also briefed Sardar Usman Ghani on UNICEF’s activities in Pakistan and discussed the significance of joint efforts to support development priorities.

The meeting underscored the need for coordinated efforts to improve access to finance, promote entrepreneurship and create greater economic opportunities for young people and women. Both sides recognised that effective cooperation could advance inclusive development and enable the next generation of entrepreneurs to contribute to Pakistan’s economic progress.