SIFC recently excelled in a USAID-sponsored roadshow in the UAE, held in early November 2023. The event successfully showcased investment opportunities, resulting in nearly thirty proposals from a diverse range of local and international companies. These initiatives play a crucial role in bolstering international confidence and enhancing Pakistan's business environment.

A thriving and advancing Pakistan is the collective aspiration of every Pakistani today. Emerging from a prolonged period of developmental challenges, Pakistan has reached a pivotal moment where a resolute decision has been made to embrace a brighter future. It is time for us as a nation to awaken to the possibilities of life and actively contribute to our shared journey of progress.
The dawn of change is marked by the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a transformative initiative that beckons our support and genuine commitment. To overcome the challenges of debt and default, we must unite in our efforts for national survival. SIFC is not only consolidating its efforts but also expanding its horizons by identifying new opportunities to present enticing investment packages. The recent interaction with delegations from Saudi Arabia, China, and Qatar are essential components of our optimistic path, fostering collaboration and contributing to the economic advancement of our beloved country.
Recently, SIFC participated in a roadshow sponsored by USAID in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The roadshow, which was held in the first week of November 2023, was a great success and helped SIFC pitch investment opportunities to the business community in UAE. This was a one-of-a-kind opportunity, and SIFC reaped full benefits from it. Towards the end, SIFC had a handsome total of almost thirty proposals from different companies, both local and international. Such measures are proving very helpful in restoring the confidence of international business community in improving the country's business environment.

Recently, SIFC participated in a roadshow sponsored by USAID in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The roadshow, which was held in the first week of November 2023, was a great success and helped SIFC pitch investment opportunities to the business community in UAE. This was a one-of-a-kind opportunity, and SIFC reaped full benefits from it. Towards the end, SIFC had a handsome total of almost thirty proposals from different companies, both local and international. 

The Investors Roadshow had a threefold significance–providing a platform for networking between investors and businessmen, affording opportunities for Pakistani startups to showcase their capital ventures, and, above all, reassuring foreign investors of a conducive business environment in the country. Through the meetups, investors and businessmen could see Pakistan's economy's dynamic and robust face. The startups included more than 31 Pakistani companies representing various sectors, including, among other vital areas, information technology, agriculture, education, and health. The essential measures taken by Pakistan towards improving the business environment are the steps taken to stabilize the Pakistani currency, ensure the repatriation of investors' profits, and, most importantly, the safety of their investments.

 The roadshow was undoubtedly a successful event that has initiated millions of dollars in investments in Pakistan's fintech, energy, education, health, and rail startups, which will materialize in the next few weeks. How much money pours into the country will become evident once the actual deals are finalized after fulfilling certain requirements, including the provision of necessary data and documents by the startups to the investors.

The event comprised a panel discussion, including public and private specialists, to create Pakistan's investment scene vis-à-vis developing markets and a way forward to tap into the opportunities. In addition to the Director General (DG) of SIFC and other officials, notable executives who delivered talks during the three-day roadshow event included Stephen Berlinguette, Director of USAID in Pakistan, and DelSys, a provider of mobile refueling facilities. A fireside chat was also organized, presenting Walid G. Mansour, co-CEO and co-founder of Middle East Venture Partners, offering companies primary and growth-stage backing. The roadshow was the first of its kind in Pakistan's history to mobilize foreign investment on the global stage and has helped catalyze the endeavors of SIFC. 

The Investors Roadshow had a threefold significance–providing a platform for networking between investors and businessmen, affording opportunities for Pakistani startups to showcase their capital ventures, and, above all, reassuring foreign investors of a conducive business environment in the country.

The roadshow was undoubtedly a successful event that has initiated millions of dollars in investments in Pakistan's fintech, energy, education, health, and rail startups, which will materialize in the next few weeks. How much money pours into the country will become evident once the actual deals are finalized after fulfilling certain requirements, including the provision of necessary data and documents by the startups to the investors. The SIFC initiative earned enormous traction, and during engagements, the investor community was given insights into transforming the investment climate in Pakistan through the SIFC platform.
All said and done; it is nevertheless very important that this time, all the elements of national power–the politicians, the government, the business community, the service sector, and the population in general–should gather in one manifesto, which is to see a developed Pakistan in the next five to ten years. There are compelling reasons to anticipate that Pakistan is poised to achieve self-sufficiency and financial stability. It is recommended that certain measures, as outlined below, be undertaken to bring this vision to fruition:
▪ Take the development and financial self-sufficiency of the country as a national effort and embark upon a nationwide campaign to take Pakistan out of this quagmire. Towards this end, we have to respect all the elements of national power mentioned above and make them stakeholders in the development process; and generate synergy through unity, faith, and discipline.
▪ Decide that we have to generate power and strength through the use of all the potential in the country, whether financial, natural, or human. All these are Pakistan's strengths and are required to be taken as such. Only by taking optimum benefit from the available resources will we be able to generate the national effort to produce maximum strength.
▪ Take help from the specialists in economics, finance, and the relevant fields in which we expect investments to get suggestions for improvements and development. The young entrepreneurs of Pakistan are very important in this regard. Today's youth has ideas, concepts, and possibilities that can help in innovative solutions to problems. The requirement is to empower, finance, and give them confidence. 
▪  Another essential factor to be considered is that we must make deliberate efforts to hold the Pakistani youth within the country by giving them incentives because they are the real future of our country.
In conclusion, the newfound hope embodied by the SIFC must be fortified and translated into reality through a collective national effort. All stakeholders should unite, supporting one another to transform Pakistan into a modern, forward-looking state—a beacon of inspiration for other nations. This transformation is achievable by leveraging our national strengths to attain self-sufficiency and serve as a model for the world.

The author is a PhD scholar in Management Sciences with extensive experience in Project Management.