Citi Foundation (Citi) in partnership with the British Asian Trust and the LUMS National Incubation Centre (NIC) Lahore hosted a graduation ceremony for 61 young entrepreneurs from disadvantaged urban areas whose businesses were incubated as part of this pilot project.
Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Minister of State on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was the chief guest for the evening.
In 2016, the British Asian Trust, NIC and the Citi Foundation launched the 'Urban Youth Project' under Citi's 'Pathways to Progress' initiative, to prepare urban youth to thrive in today's economy. The objective of the programme was to reduce youth unemployment and increase sustainable economic development through entrepreneurship and leadership training. As a result of the programme, over a 100 jobs were created, over 30 new businesses launched and 60 business plans developed.
Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari, commented, "It is heartening to see the high results this group of entrepreneurs has delivered given the right mentorship and opportunity. I hope the British Asian Trust, Citi Foundation and NIC Lahore continue investing in Pakistan's youth so they can fulfil their potential."-PR