UNIDO conducts National Academy for semi-finalists of GCIP

A two day National Academy was conducted for the Semi-finalists of Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) for SMEs and Start-ups in Pakistan under the auspices of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

This academy was held in Islamabad for the teams of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and adjoining areas, same kind of National Academies will be held in Lahore for the teams of Punjab, and in Karachi for the teams and teams of Sind and Baluchistan, said a press release issued here n Monday.

GCIP National Academy is a flagship training session for innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs who were selected in the Global Cleantech Business Accelerator Programme 2017. This year this intensive training program of GCIP 2017 will be offered to more than 84 participants all over Pakistan.

This training is a part of UNIDO's ongoing efforts to encourage and promote clean technology innovations, with the partnership of Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Cleantech Open; a Silicon Valley; USA based non-profit organization. GCIP foster innovations in Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Waste to Energy, Water Efficiency and Green Building as part of the larger global programme currently operating in seven countries.

A simple yet graceful ceremony was held at the closing of the two day National Academy being chaired by Esam Alqararah; UNIDO Representative to Pakistan, Abdul Ghaffar Khattak; CEO NPO, Majid Shabbir; Secretary General of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the aspiring innovators, GCIP team, GCIP Mentors, GCIP Alumni etc.

Mr. Majid appreciated the programme and encouraged the teams to come up with a good business model, he further assured the support of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and industry in promotion of this goal, and in all means.

Abdul Ghaffar Khattak also appreciated the programme and highlighted the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship. He also said that his organization; NPO along with Ministry of Industries and Production are working for a venture capital fund which will be announced soon, and that would help innovators in scaling up and commercializing their innovation.

Esam shared his best wishes to the teams and appreciated the team for their efforts in making this programme one of the best programme among all countries. He also wished that this programme should be extended to more countries also. He also thanked UNIDO partners like NPO, ICCI and PIM in successful execution of this programme.

The academy continued till late evening where all the semifinalists’ teams were evaluated and valuable input was given to all on how to commercialize their innovation in the larger interest of country, environment, society and themselves etc.