ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
The ‘All Pakistan Business Forum’ (APBF) under the omniscient leadership of Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi serves as a vibrant business association which promotes the interests of the business community and industry, while also advocating fair business policies and transparency as part of its mandate. Capitalizing on its high-profiled representation from diverse commercial sectors, the APBF has taken various initiatives for social development, in collaboration with some of the leading enterprises and associations.
In order to achieve its developmental objectives, APBF has recently entered into a valuable collaboration with the globally leading Information technology enterprise – Microsoft. According to a 3-years MoU signed between APBF and Microsoft Pakistan; the two organizations will develop an “Employability Platform” for creating new employment and internship opportunities for the youth, while focusing on recruitments in the private sector partners of the APBF, making selections from the Pak-Kaam Employability Platform. This MoU reflects the common vision of APBF and Microsoft to create a framework and roadmap for enterprise-development and technology deployments. This initiative will generate fresh, healthy and sustainable income-streams for the educated and skilled youth of the country, by stimulating and enriching the national economy.
According to the scope of this collaboration both the organizations will jointly select and advertise a list of courses and trainings on the Employability Platform, that reflect desired skills for APBF partners and affiliates. Targeted internship programs and jobs will thus be designed for over three thousand learners every year to enhance the highly-demanded skills. In order to drive traffic on the platform and ensure the quality of the content offered to youth, 50 mentors will be provided and broader partnerships will be developed across the region, to engage other resourceful organizations too. Microsoft will also advertise these internship programs and provide 50 mentors for users on the Employability Platform from within its member organizations.
The MoU was signed by the Country General Manager of Microsoft – Mr. Nadeem Malik and the President of APBF – Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi, who expressed his gratitude to Microsoft for collaborating with APBF. He stated that; “APBF is thankful to our new partner – Microsoft, for helping us play a key role in national progress. We are effectively striving to bring Business Leaders, Chambers and Associations on a united platform to endeavor for a strong and prosperous Pakistan with sustainable growth, ensured through effective policies followed in continuity, resulting in better quality of life for the people of Pakistan.”
Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi further informed the media that; “Over the years, APBF has made numerous valuable contributions towards the progress and growth of the national economy. We are making consistent efforts to identify and engage resourceful organizations and entrepreneurs, to create new opportunities and mutual benefits through our shared values and wisdom.”
The MoU was signed in Islamabad during a high-profiled event – “The Summit – 2015”, orchestrated by APBF in Islamabad. This event highlighted the impressive profile of the APBF and its partners, with strong patronage of numerous Multinational organizations and leading Pakistani enterprises as its sponsors. It served as an informative platform to discuss and realign the strategic business and social-development road-map for Pakistan.