US supports Pak economic transformation: Blome

ISLAMABAD: With the US committed to backing Pakistan’s economic revitalisation, women are increasingly crucial to this endeavour, holding a pivotal and expanding position in the country’s journey towards economic growth and development, said US Ambassador Donald Blome.

“Through this forum, we are working with our partners to ensure Pakistani women have the skills, knowledge, and mentorship to build their businesses and deepen the economic ties between our nations,” Mr Blome told the Pakistani women, who graduated from the 5th cohort of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Programme, during a special ceremony here on Friday. AWE is part of a global programme sponsored by the US Department of State to support the development of women entrepreneurs. This initiative empowers women to develop their economic potential and create conditions for stability, security, and prosperity, and harnesses the power of local partnerships, and US Exchange Alumni networks to help women and their businesses grow, according to the ambassador. He emphasised that entrepreneurs were critical in building dynamic, innovative economies that create growth.

“I look forward to seeing the opportunities that you [AWE graduates] create for yourself and your communities. Your success is Pakistan’s success, and we are proud to support you as emerging entrepreneurs and business leaders.” Mr Blome said expanding opportunities for women lifted entire communities. He said when women entrepreneurs succeeded, they invested back into their families and community—into education, nutrition, and children’s health, and their businesses provided new services and opportunities to those communities. “As AWE graduates, you are now part of a network of local business leaders, U.S. exchange alumni, and US business experts,” he said.

The ambassador said AWE gave enterprising women the knowledge, networks, and access they needed to launch successful businesses. He said it was the programme’s fifth year in Pakistan, and it had been a tremendous success. “AWE graduates develop their local economies, provide employment and income, have better job qualifications, and help Pakistan to grow its economy.” Mr Blome said he was particularly impressed by the innovation that he had seen from the AWE participants. “Whether it is Varda and her eco-friendly seed packaging, or Sumara Naqvi and her edible utensils, or any one of the vendors I just met, your creativity and determination to succeed is reshaping your futures and the future of Pakistan.”

The ambassador said he hoped the AWE graduates would implement their business dreams using the many opportunities available to them through everything they’d learned in the course, the mentors they ‘d met, and the networks they ‘d formed. “Congratulations again. I can’t wait to see what you do next,” he told AWE graduates.