ISLAMABAD
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) organized a seminar on “Cleantech Competition” to create better awareness in SMEs and start-up businesses how to maximize their business prospects by fostering innovations in clean technologies.
Large number of local SMEs attended the event. The initiative was part of a three years Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP), currently running in 7 countries including Pakistan and aimed at developing a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem by supporting clean technology innovations in SMEs and start up entrepreneurs in order to enable them for achieving sustainable growth.
Addressing the seminar, Dr. Shaheena Waheed, National Program Coordinator, UNIDO Pakistan highlighted the importance of clean technologies for SMEs. She said clean technology innovations have bright future in Pakistan and in global market. She stressed upon the SMEs to focus on embracing clean technology innovations to fuel green industrial revolution in the country and achieve lucrative returns. She said UNIDO was looking to help Pakistani entrepreneurs with best ideas that address today’s pressing energy, environmental and economic challenges.
In his welcome address, Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that SMEs and startup businesses were facing many challenges in accessing finance for adopting clean technologies. He emphasized that government should create policy incentives and come up with some instruments like innovative finance, clean technology development initiatives and suitable legal & regulatory framework in order to facilitate and encourage SMEs for going green and clean.
 Muhammad Hammad Bashir Saeed, Project Technical Expert Cleantech Pakistan Program, UNIDO gave a detailed presentation on Cleantech Competition. He said Cleantech was a global competition aimed at encouraging SMEs to come up with new ideas for addressing issues in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency and waste to energy and contribute to fueling green industrial growth in the country. The program involved extensive mentoring, training, access to investors and opportunities to showcase their innovations.  
 The 5 best ideas will receive prizes ranging from US$ 15,000 to 20,000 plus winners will be given further mentorship and training in Silicon Valley, USA. All winners will be funded to participate in the Cleantech Open’s Annual Global Forum to be held in Silicon Valley, USA in November 2015. The entrepreneurs with innovative ideas could apply online by May 30, 2015 at http://www.cleantechopen.com/pakistan.