The Investment Promotion Unit (IPU) created under the joint Unido-Smeda Italia Programme held a weeklong training workshop on "Innovation and Technology Transfer for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development." According to a spokesman of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda), the workshop was held at office of Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) and Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).
The first three-day sessions were held at PAAPAM office followed by the second round at FCCI. The training workshop was aimed at to introduce Pakistani organisations with new concept of Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) which is Unido's new vision for industrial development in the world.
Unido international trainer Vivianna Prochazka conducted the training at both venues. He brought with years long in-depth knowledge of innovation and technology transfer in developing as well as under developed countries. As many as 35 participants from Smeda and other partner public and private organisations attended the training sessions. The participants as well as partner organisations PAAPAM and FCCI applauded the role of IPU/Smeda for bringing this international experience to their members. It was also decided to arrange further trainings of similar nature for Pakistani industrial sector.
In 2013, the Italian government and Unido formulated the joint Unido-Smeda Italia Programme to establish an Investment Promotion Unit (IPU) at Smeda head Office in Lahore. The objective of the unit is to assist in the development of SMEs through capacity building of organisations involved in the innovation and technology transfer, skills development and the creation of an entrepreneurial environment in which businesses can innovate and thrive.