Five-day training workshop on Investment Project Preparation and Evaluation with Application of COMFAR Software begins at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Lahore, May 13, 2014 (PPI-OT): Dr. Nasir Khan Ghauri, General Manager Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) inaugurated a five-day training workshop on Investment Project Preparation and Evaluation with Application of COMFAR Software today at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry premises. The workshop has been arranged by the Investment Promotion Unit set up at SMEDA with the support of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the government of Italy.

A team of International Trainers comprising Ms. I. Toshinaga from UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO), Japan, Mr. Dino Fortunato, from UNIDO ITPO, Rome, Mr. Brian Portelli, from UNIDO Head Office Vienna, Austria and Mr. Imran Chaudhry, National Project Coordinator, IPU also addressed the inaugural session.

Dr. Nasir Khan Ghauri, General Manager SMEDA, while welcoming the participants at the workshop as Chief Guest, highlighted the importance of creating capacity of SMEDA and other partner organizations as vital to play their respective roles in attracting more FDI to the country.

He applauded the role of UNIDO in uplifting the industrialization in the country through setting up the IPU at SMEDA and undertaking all these training programmes for relevant organizations. He hoped that the series of workshop being held by IPU will help increase in foreign investments in the country, which is dire need of Pakistan for employment generation and poverty alleviation.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Brian Portelli from UNIDO Head Quarter, Vienna indicated UNIDO’s seriousness towards development of Pakistan through introduction of the innovative programmes and methodologies for industrializations. He mentioned that it is basically sharing of UNIDO experience worldwide rather than a theoretical training.

Mr. Imran Chaudhry, National Project Coordinator, IPU while informing the participants about the mandate and role of IPU in SME development informed that a trade delegation from Italy is visiting Lahore and Islamabad shortly.

He appreciated the visiting experts from abroad for bringing in the tools and methodology of UNIDO to Pakistan and healthy participation from agencies like Board of Investment (BoI), Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT), Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), USAID and Lahore Stock Exchange in the training workshop.

It is notable that the present training programme is the latest of a series of capacity building activities, planned by UNIDO through IPU in Pakistan, in which various modules of the UNIDO methodology and tools in investment promotion, facilitation and monitoring are being taught by the international trainers.

For more information, contact:
Liaqat Ali Gohar
DGM (Admin. and PR)
Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA)
6th floor, LDA Plaza, Egerton Road, Lahore
Tel: 111-111-456
Fax: (042) 6304926
Email: helpdesk@smeda.org.pk
Website: www.smeda.org.pk