Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has been conferred with Jinnah Youth Award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs here today. ICCI is the first Chamber of the country who received this award in recognition of its youth development efforts.

Addressing the award winning ceremony at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mian Shaukat Masud, President ICCI said youth is the future of Pakistan and developing youth means developing a strong and prosperous Pakistan.

He urged the ICCI that apart from promoting the cause of business community, it should continue working for the development of youth and promotion of young entrepreneurs.

He said entrepreneurship offers an essential avenue for young people to support themselves and their families, grow businesses, provide employment to others and play a part in strengthening their country’s economy.

He said ICCI, in collaboration with Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) & Ministry of Youth Affairs held Youth Conference and couple of youth forums, which brought together large number of young business professionals and students across the country.

These forums discussed many aspects of youth with particular focus on entrepreneurship development. Then the youngsters prepared proposals for youth promotion and many of these proposals were also incorporated in the National Youth Policy.

He hoped that efforts of ICCI for promoting youth and encouraging young entrepreneurs to enter the mainstream of business field will prove highly fruitful for preparing youth to become future business leader and to take the country to new heights by business activities in the country.