Page 7 - CMA Journal (Jan-Feb 2024)
P. 7

E XCLUS I VE  I N TERV I EW
              Exclusive Interview













                 Ms. Nadia  Aftab


             United Nations  Industrial Development

                      Organization (UNIDO)

                    Representative in  Pakistan



                  UNIDO has played a pivotal role in





              strengthening  Pakistan's manufacturing sector,







              investing  an average  of USD 29 million annually

              over the past decade. Through specialized





              technical  assistance  programs, the organization

              has significantly  improved manufacturing





              ICMA: Can you briefly  mention the role of UNIDO  in    Emphasizing  a culture  of cooperation,  UNIDO  has formed








              advancing Pakistan'smanufacturing sector?         partnerships  across academia,  government,  businesses,

                                                                and entrepreneurs,  particularly  supporting  small  and




              Nadia  Aftab: The United Nations Industrial  Development

              Organization  (UNIDO)  plays a  pivotal role in advancing   medium-sized  enterprises.  Actively  promoting  youth





                                                                advocacy  and gender  equality,  UNIDO's  commitment  to


              Pakistan's  manufacturing  sector by providing  technical

                                                                inclusive  and sustainable  development  is evident  in the



              assistance,  promoting  inclusive  and sustainable  industrial


              development, and fostering  innovation.  UNIDO  partners   success  of its programs.  Providing  technical  assistance  to






              with  global  funding  organizations  to create and carry  out    1,700  SMEs  and manufacturing  facilities,  these  initiatives



                                                                have not only spurred  economic  growth  but also generated



              industrial  projects  that are aligned  with  government  goals.



                                                                a substantial  number  of new jobs,  contributing  significantly



              UNIDO  supports  the modernization  of industrial  processes,


              enhances  productivity  and  competitiveness,  and   toPakistan'semployment landscape.



              contributes  to  Pakistan's  economic  growth  and   ICMA:  How  is UNIDO  working  to bolster the resilience  of


              employment  creation. Through  its various  initiatives,    Pakistan'smanufacturing industry amid challenges?


              UNIDO  aims  to  strengthen  Pakistan's  industrial   Nadia  Aftab:  In the face of mounting  challenges,  UNIDO  is





              infrastructure,  improve the business  environment,  and    wielding  a multi-pronged  approach  to fortify  the resilience




              facilitatetheintegration ofindustry intoglobal valuechains,   of Pakistan's manufacturing  industry. Take the Sialkot












              ultimately  contributing  to the country's  socio-economic




                                                                Tannery  Zone as a prime  example.  Here, close  collaboration
              development.

                                                                with  local  authorities  has yielded  targeted  programs  that





              UNIDO  has played a pivotal role in  strengthening  Pakistan's    enhance  both  adaptability  and  environmental

              manufacturing  sector,  investing  an  average  of   consciousness.  By introducing  advanced  waste  treatment



              USD 29 million  annually  over the past decade.  Through   technologies  and optimizing  production  processes,  UNIDO




              specialized  technical  assistance  programs,  the organization   directly  tackles  the sector's environmental  hurdles.  But



              has  significantly  improved  manufacturing  efficiency   their  vision  stretches  beyond resilience,  aiming  for a


              andproductivity.                                  sustainable future.

                                                             ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant,Jan-Feb 2024  5
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