Islamabad (GNP): Sohail Aman, Chief Executive of Strategic Engagements at Nutshell, described chambers of commerce as a crucial link connecting the public and private sectors.
Aman noted that the business community continues to grapple with sustaining economic activity amid ongoing challenges such as high energy costs, tax burdens, and other structural obstacles. He said human resource and human capital development must remain central to Pakistan’s economic strategy, adding that the initiative aims to close the gap between government bodies, development institutions, and the private sector by identifying viable projects.
He explained that chambers of commerce serve as an essential bridge between the two sectors because of their understanding of business challenges, potential, and investment appetite — positioning them well to connect project sponsors with suitable investors. Aman encouraged the business community to share feedback on proposed projects and help identify both domestic and international investors interested in ventures that combine commercial returns with development and climate benefits. He clarified that the initiative was designed not as a single event but as an ongoing pipeline for developing, refining, and presenting SDG-focused public-private partnership projects to potential investors.
ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood said Pakistan is at a pivotal moment where the real task lies in converting development aspirations into actual investments, and those investments into tangible, impactful projects. Speaking at an interactive session on “UNDP SDGs Investment Projects” at Chamber House, he noted that Pakistan holds substantial potential — including a large, youthful population — but this potential must be linked with capital, technology, expertise, and credible investment opportunities to drive sustainable growth.
Mehmood stressed that lasting prosperity cannot be achieved through public-sector efforts alone: while government creates an enabling environment and development institutions contribute knowledge and frameworks, it is the private sector that brings capital, innovation, efficiency, and scale. He described public-private partnerships as a vital tool for national transformation and welcomed the involvement of UNDP and Nutshell representatives, emphasizing that Pakistan needs actionable, investable projects rather than ideas that remain theoretical.
Naghma-e-Tehniat, Head of the Development Policy Unit at UNDP Pakistan, said the organization has been working since 2020 to connect Pakistani projects with international investment platforms and position Pakistan as an attractive investment destination. She noted that UNDP, partnering with Nutshell, is working to identify and promote such projects globally while raising awareness that impact investment is both feasible and commercially viable in Pakistan. She called on Pakistani investors and businesses to offer feedback to help refine these projects in line with market conditions and investor expectations.
Sajeed Aslam, Project Lead Consultant at Nutshell, presented details on Nutshell’s collaboration with UNDP Pakistan on the National SDGs Investment Project, which evaluates and promotes public-private partnership opportunities for investors. He explained that the shortlisted portfolio was assessed based on developmental impact, bankability, and commercial feasibility, comprising over 40 federal and provincial projects spanning 11 sectors — including transport and mobility, health and social services, agriculture and food, water and sanitation, energy and climate, industry and trade, urban development and real estate, tourism and heritage, technology, education and skills, and waste management. Shahbano Khan, SDGs Specialist at UNDP’s Development Policy Unit, also spoke about the initiative’s core goals and investment potential.
In his closing remarks, ICCI Executive Member Zulqurnain Abbasi expressed confidence that the session would help businesses better grasp emerging investment opportunities and strengthen ties with development institutions and project stakeholders. He thanked UNDP and Nutshell for bringing investment-ready SDG projects to the business community, noting that effective collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector could unlock Pakistan’s vast potential for sustainable economic growth, job creation, and inclusive national development.
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ICCI Executive Member Waseem Chaudhry moderated the session, which was also attended by former Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry, ICCI senior members Akhtar Abbasi, Sajid Iqbal, and Fareena Mazhar, along with Nahyan Mirza from Nutshell, among other participants.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
