Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh attended the closing ceremony of the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Innovators Event, Expo & Awards (YES 2026) as the Chief Guest, where he encouraged young entrepreneurs, innovators and emerging business leaders to pursue entrepreneurship, explore new business opportunities and contribute to Pakistan’s investment-led economic growth. Addressing the participants under the theme “Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Future,” the Minister emphasized that strong business growth, sustained investment and human development are essential for building a prosperous, competitive and economically stable Pakistan.
The Minister appreciated the organizers, the Higher Education Commission’s Taskforce on Business Incubation Centers and Bahria University for providing a platform that brings together young business leaders, innovators, academia and policymakers. He expressed confidence in the potential of Pakistan’s young population, noting that the ideas, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of young CEOs and emerging industrialists could play a decisive role in shaping the country’s economic future.
Sharing his perspective on entrepreneurship and business development, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh referred to his family’s six generations of experience in business and encouraged young participants to recognize the opportunities available through enterprise, innovation and investment. He observed that platforms such as YES 2026 should be organized more frequently to promote meaningful dialogue between young entrepreneurs, experienced business leaders, academic institutions and the government.
Highlighting the importance of economic growth, the Minister said that Pakistan needs to accelerate economic activity, expand its productive base and create more employment opportunities. He emphasized that a stable business environment and continuous investment are indispensable for sustainable economic progress. Investment brings capital, modern technology, improved productivity and new employment opportunities, while business expansion strengthens industrial capacity, increases exports and contributes to long-term economic stability.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s economic history, the Minister recalled the country’s encouraging economic performance during the 1960s and 1970s and stressed the importance of learning from successful development experiences across the world. Referring to China’s remarkable economic transformation, he highlighted the country’s sustained high growth over several decades and its emergence as the world’s second-largest economy. He also cited the development experiences of South Korea and other rapidly growing economies, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning, policy continuity, investment in human capital and the effective implementation of economic strategies.
The Minister observed that countries that were once learning from Pakistan’s development planning have since achieved substantially higher rates of economic growth. Referring to the contribution of Pakistani economists and planners, including Dr. Mahbub ul Haq, he underscored the value of structured economic planning and the need to translate development strategies into sustained results. He said Pakistan could draw important lessons from these experiences by strengthening its institutions, encouraging productive enterprise and creating an environment in which businesses can grow and compete internationally.
Addressing the mindset of young Pakistanis regarding employment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh encouraged them to look beyond the traditional preference for salaried jobs and explore the considerable opportunities available through entrepreneurship and business ownership. He emphasized that establishing and expanding businesses can create employment not only for entrepreneurs themselves but also for thousands of others, contributing to broader economic development and social prosperity.
The Minister highlighted the immense potential of information technology, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, describing them as important avenues for innovation, investment and export growth. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to develop technology-driven solutions, identify market needs and build businesses capable of competing in international markets. He also stressed the importance of exploring opportunities in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which can support industrial diversification, innovation and employment generation.
Referring to Pakistan’s large population and young demographic profile, the Minister emphasized that the country must transform its population into an economic asset through education, skills development, entrepreneurship and productive employment. He noted that several populous countries have established themselves among the world’s leading economies and said Pakistan must similarly harness its human resources to accelerate economic development. He expressed optimism that, with sustained efforts, effective policies and greater entrepreneurial activity, Pakistan could strengthen its position among the world’s major economies in the years ahead.
The Minister particularly highlighted the role of universities and business incubation centers in developing the next generation of entrepreneurs. Appreciating the contribution of institutions FAST-NUCES, including its Chiniot campus, he emphasized that quality education and practical learning are essential to empowering young people and helping them overcome economic challenges. He observed that education remains one of the most effective means of lifting people out of poverty and creating opportunities for social mobility.
He encouraged students and young professionals to make full use of university incubation facilities, mentorship opportunities and industry linkages to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises. He stressed that business incubation centers can help young entrepreneurs refine their concepts, develop business models, connect with markets and investors, and establish ventures with the potential to grow into successful national and international businesses.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to facilitating entrepreneurship, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said that the Board of Investment is working to create a supportive, transparent and business-friendly environment for investors and entrepreneurs. He emphasized that the Board’s responsibility extends beyond attracting large-scale industrial investment to facilitating local businesses, emerging enterprises and innovative ventures at every stage of their development.
The Minister said that the Board of Investment remains committed to reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, streamlining procedures and improving coordination among relevant institutions to make it easier to establish, operate and expand businesses in Pakistan. He emphasized that young entrepreneurs should be able to focus on innovation, productivity and market development while benefiting from a more facilitative business environment.
He further underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between government institutions, universities, the private sector and financial networks. According to the Minister, effective coordination among policymakers, academic institutions and businesses is essential to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and commercial opportunities. Such collaboration can help young enterprises access mentorship, investment, technology and markets, enabling them to develop sustainable and scalable business models.
Addressing the participants, the Minister encouraged young CEOs, entrepreneurs and innovators to remain persistent, continue working towards their goals and approach challenges with determination. He emphasized that their contribution would become increasingly important in the coming years as Pakistan seeks to expand its economic base, strengthen its competitiveness and create greater opportunities for its growing population.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also assured the young participants of his continued support and accessibility, encouraging them to pursue their business ideas with confidence and engage with the relevant government institutions whenever they require facilitation. He reiterated that the government is committed to supporting initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and employment generation.
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 the ideas and enterprises emerging from such platforms would contribute to Pakistan’s economic development and strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The closing ceremony of YES 2026 highlighted the importance of youth-led enterprise, university-based innovation and public-private collaboration in advancing Pakistan’s economic ambitions.
