Islamabad (GNP): Smart Entrepreneur Society (SES) successfully organized the 4th SES Diplomatic Network 2026, bringing together members of the diplomatic community, senior government representatives, business and industry leaders, trade bodies, academia and professionals on one platform to promote dialogue, cooperation, partnerships and international business connectivity.
The gathering witnessed participation from the international diplomatic and development community, with representatives from the Embassies of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Sudan and Iran, along with representatives of the United Nations in Pakistan. Their participation further strengthened the international character of the SES Diplomatic Network and provided an opportunity for engagement between Pakistan’s business community, government representatives and international stakeholders.
The gathering also marked a significant milestone for Smart Entrepreneur Society with the celebration of 10 years of SES, reflecting its journey of building platforms that connect diplomacy, government, industry, academia and entrepreneurship. The official programme concluded with the SES 10 Years Celebration Ceremony.
The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the National Anthem, followed by the Welcome Address by Saif ur Rehman, Director of Zia Family Food Industries and President of the SES Southern Punjab Chapter, and the opening session by Engr. Mehtab Hussain Baloch, Founder & Chairman of Smart Entrepreneur Society (SES).
In his address, Saif ur Rehman highlighted the importance of bringing diplomats, government, industry and academia together, emphasizing that meaningful business relationships often begin with meaningful conversations. He also highlighted the considerable trade, investment, industrial and export potential of Southern Punjab, particularly in agriculture and food processing, textiles, livestock and dairy, packaging, manufacturing and logistics.
He invited diplomatic missions and international businesses to explore stronger engagement with entrepreneurs, exporters and industries from Southern Punjab, including businesses from Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Vehari and Sahiwal. He said the SES Southern Punjab Chapter aims to provide businesses from the region with greater access to national and international networks, buyers, distributors, investors and business partners.
Addressing the gathering, Engr. Mehtab Hussain Baloch reflected on the development of SES and its platforms across logistics and shipping, FMCG, education, construction and women’s leadership, along with its growing portfolio of business and knowledge publications. He described the SES Diplomatic Network as an important platform for connecting Pakistan’s diplomatic community with government, industry and academia.
A major highlight of the event was the soft launch of SES Global Connect, a new international initiative of Smart Entrepreneur Society under the vision:
Engr. Mehtab Hussain Baloch announced that SES Global Connect would develop structured international business exchanges connecting Pakistani entrepreneurs, exporters, manufacturers, logistics companies, investors, professionals and academia with diplomatic missions, governments, chambers, businesses, universities and institutions internationally.
Under the initiative, Central Asia was announced as the first regional focus, with the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Business Exchange 2027 introduced as the first proposed country-focused business exchange. Its core areas of focus will include trade, transit, investment, partnership, knowledge and people-to-people connectivity.
Engr. Mehtab invited diplomatic missions represented at the gathering to engage with SES Global Connect and explore future country-specific business exchanges, while also inviting corporate leaders, exporters, logistics companies, banks, technology companies and other organizations to participate in the initiative. He summarized the next phase of SES with the message: “10 Years of Connecting Pakistan — Now Connecting Pakistan with the World.”
The event featured a keynote address by Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, who welcomed the launch of SES Global Connect and the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Business Exchange 2027. He described the initiative as a practical mechanism for business delegations, direct B2B meetings, engagement with chambers and investment institutions, identification of investment projects and joint ventures, and stronger connections between entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The Ambassador highlighted opportunities for Pakistan–Uzbekistan cooperation in sectors including textiles, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agriculture and food processing, leather and sports goods, construction materials, steel and metallurgy, mining and geology, chemicals, renewable energy, information technology, logistics, tourism and real estate. He also emphasized the importance of improving physical connectivity and regional transport links between Central and South Asia.
Welcoming the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Business Exchange 2027, Alisher Tukhtaev stressed that its success should ultimately be measured through tangible business outcomes, including partnerships, contracts, joint ventures and companies entering each other’s markets. He stated that the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Pakistan stands ready to assist by facilitating engagement with relevant ministries, investment institutions, chambers, regional administrations and Uzbek companies, as well as supporting Pakistani business delegations visiting Uzbekistan.
The programme also featured addresses and participation from prominent government and business representatives, including Squadron Leader Maqsood Ahmed (R), DG Pakistan Post; Nosherwan Khalil Khan, President RCCI; Mr. Usman Shaukat, Vice Chairman PPMA; Tariq Khan Jadoon, Vice President FPCCI; Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General, United Business Group; Muhammad Irfan Soomro, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Chief Guest Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Chief Whip, Senate of Pakistan.
The event concluded with souvenir distribution, the SES 10 Years Celebration Ceremony, and Hi-Tea and networking, providing diplomats, government officials, international representatives and business leaders with an opportunity to establish new institutional and commercial connections.
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Through the 4th SES Diplomatic Network, SES reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic diplomacy, international business connectivity and public-private engagement, while the launch of SES Global Connect marked the beginning of a new chapter aimed at creating practical bridges between Pakistan and international markets.
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.
