YES 2026 Highlights Youth Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Business Development

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has urged young CEOs, entrepreneurs and innovators to explore new business opportunities, promote entrepreneurship and contribute to Pakistan’s investment-led economic growth.

The minister was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Innovators Event, Expo & Awards (YES 2026), where he attended as chief guest. Held under the theme “Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Future,” the event brought together emerging business leaders, innovators, academics and policymakers.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh appreciated the organisers, the Higher Education Commission’s Taskforce on Business Incubation Centers and Bahria University for providing a platform to promote entrepreneurship and encourage interaction between young business leaders, academia and government representatives.

He expressed confidence in Pakistan’s youth, saying their ideas, determination and entrepreneurial spirit could play a significant role in shaping the country’s economic future.

Sharing his perspective on business development, the minister referred to his family’s six generations of business experience and encouraged young participants to capitalise on opportunities in enterprise, innovation and investment. He said events such as YES 2026 should be organised more frequently to strengthen engagement between emerging entrepreneurs, experienced business leaders and policymakers.

Highlighting the importance of economic growth, he said Pakistan needed to accelerate economic activity, expand its productive base and generate more employment opportunities. He stressed that a stable business environment and sustained investment were essential for long-term economic progress.

He noted that investment brings capital, modern technology, higher productivity and employment opportunities, while business expansion strengthens industrial capacity, increases exports and supports economic stability.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s economic history, the minister recalled the country’s economic performance during the 1960s and 1970s and stressed the importance of learning from successful development models around the world.

Citing China’s economic transformation and the experiences of South Korea and other rapidly developing economies, he highlighted the importance of long-term planning, policy continuity, investment in human capital and effective implementation of economic strategies.

Referring to the contributions of Pakistani economists and planners, including Dr Mahbub ul Haq, he emphasised the value of structured economic planning and translating development strategies into sustainable results. He said Pakistan could draw lessons from other economies by strengthening institutions, encouraging productive enterprise and creating conditions in which businesses could grow and compete internationally.

The minister encouraged young Pakistanis to look beyond traditional salaried employment and consider entrepreneurship and business ownership as viable career paths. He said establishing and expanding businesses could create jobs for entrepreneurs and thousands of others, contributing to economic development and social prosperity.

He identified information technology, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies as important avenues for innovation, investment and export growth. He urged young entrepreneurs to develop technology-driven solutions, identify market needs and build businesses capable of competing internationally.

He also highlighted the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in promoting industrial diversification, innovation and employment generation.

Emphasising Pakistan’s young demographic profile, the minister said the country needed to transform its human resources into an economic asset through education, skills development, entrepreneurship and productive employment. He expressed optimism that sustained efforts, effective policies and increased entrepreneurial activity could strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global economy.

The minister also highlighted the role of universities and business incubation centres in nurturing future entrepreneurs. Appreciating the contribution of institutions such as FAST-NUCES, including its Chiniot campus, he stressed that quality education and practical learning were essential to empowering young people and helping them overcome economic challenges.

He described education as a vital means of reducing poverty and creating opportunities for social mobility.

Encouraging students and young professionals to make effective use of incubation facilities, mentorship programmes and industry linkages, he said these platforms could help transform innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises. Such support enables emerging businesses to refine their concepts, develop business models, connect with investors and markets, and establish ventures with growth potential.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to facilitating entrepreneurship, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the Board of Investment was working to create a supportive, transparent and business-friendly environment for investors and entrepreneurs.

He said the Board’s role extended beyond attracting large-scale industrial investment to facilitating local businesses, emerging enterprises and innovative ventures at different stages of development.

The minister emphasised the need to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, streamline procedures and improve coordination among relevant institutions so businesses could be established, operated and expanded more easily in Pakistan.

He also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, universities, the private sector and financial networks. Such cooperation, he said, was essential to connect innovative ideas with commercial opportunities and help young enterprises access mentorship, investment, technology and markets.

Addressing the participants, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh encouraged young CEOs, entrepreneurs and innovators to remain persistent, pursue their goals with determination and approach challenges as opportunities for growth.

He assured them of his continued support and encouraged them to engage with relevant government institutions whenever they required facilitation for their business initiatives.

Congratulating the participants, nominees and award recipients of YES 2026, the minister appreciated their hard work, vision and commitment to innovation. He expressed confidence that enterprises emerging from such platforms would contribute to Pakistan’s economic development and strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The closing ceremony underscored the importance of youth-led businesses, university-based innovation and public-private collaboration in advancing Pakistan’s economic ambitions and promoting sustainable growth.