Page 9 - CMA Journal (Jan-Feb 2024)

E XCLUS I VE I N TERV I EW

UNIDO promotes technology transfer and innovation, and

advocates for policies that support SME internationalization. UNIDO's expertise in industrial

These efforts aim to strengthen the position of Pakistani

SMEs in global markets and contribute to sustainable development and sustainability,
economic growth.

combined with ICMA's knowledge in cost

UNIDO's initiatives enhanced SME competitiveness in

global markets. UNIDO's Cluster Development Initiative management and financial planning, can

(CDI) funded by the government of Punjab provided crucial

technical assistance to develop modern, profitable lead to impactful initiatives. These

industrial clusters in priority sectors that include Auto Parts include capacity building, technology

and Accessories Manufacturers, Leather, Footwear, Ready-
made garments, and Surgical instrument manufacturers, transfer, policy advocacy, sustainable

facilitating their integration intoglobal supply chains.

practices promotion, research and

UNIDO is also implementing the Pakistan Private Sector

Energy Project (PPSE), funded by USAID, which focuses on development, and market access

supporting the renewable energy sector assisting clean

energy companies in becoming investor-ready and scaling

up for greater environmental and economic impact. The These efforts are complemented by initiatives in

project is developing bankable projects, enhancing technology transfer, digitalization, investment promotion,

financial institutions' capacity, and mainstreaming low- training, the circular economy, and women's economic

carbon, climate-resilient investments. empowerment, all aimed at achieving concrete and

ICMA: What is UNIDO doing to support the growth of eco- impactful outcomes.

friendly industries inPakistan? UNIDO employs a systematic approach to determine

Nadia Aftab: UNIDO's efforts to promote eco-friendly strategies and allocate resources for enhancing

industries in Pakistan are comprehensive and impactful. It development and resilience upon the priorities set by the

provides technical assistance andcapacity-building support member state. This involves conducting thorough

to industries, with a focus on energy efficiency, waste assessments and engaging with keystakeholders toidentify

management, and pollution control. Additionally, UNIDO priority areas and issues. Strategies are then formulated,

promotes cleaner production methods and facilitates considering the country's specific context, and resources

access to green technologies, aiding industries in adopting are allocated to ensure effective implementation.

environmentally friendly practices. Through advocacy and Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and capacity-building

awareness campaigns, UNIDO assists businesses and the efforts are employed tomaximize impact and sustainability.

public about the benefits of sustainable industrial practices Through this approach, UNIDO aims to drive positive and

and encourages policy changes thatincentivize eco-friendly lasting change in Pakistan's manufacturing sector,

approaches. UNIDO collaborates closely with the Ministry contributing toitsgrowth andresilience.
of Climate Change and Environment Coordination ICMA: How can UNIDO and ICMA work together to

(MOCC&EC) during GEF cycles, resulting in initiatives that enhance thecompetitiveness ofthePakistaniindustry?

prioritize environmental sustainability and contribute to an

Nadia Aftab: Through a collaborative approach, UNIDO and

eco-friendly industrial landscape inPakistan.

ICMA canharness their respective strengths toenhance the

ICMA: What are the priorities of UNIDO, and How does competitiveness of Pakistan's manufacturing industries.

UNIDO determine its strategies and allocate resources to UNIDO's expertise in industrial development and
effectively enhance the development and resilience of sustainability, combined with ICMA’s knowledge in cost

Pakistan's manufacturing industry? management and financial planning, can lead to impactful

Nadia Aftab: UNIDO stands at the forefront of tackling initiatives. These include capacity building, technology

today's critical challenges: hunger and poverty, climate transfer, policy advocacy, sustainable practices promotion,

change, and environmental degradation. Through its research and development, and market access. This

commitment to sustainable industrial development, partnership has the potential to not only boost the

UNIDO drives policies, partnerships, and investments that competitiveness of Pakistani manufacturing industries but

yield tangible results. Under the leadership of Director also contribute significantly to the country's economic

General Gerd Müller, UNIDO focuses on delivering growth andlong-term sustainability.

outcomes such as supporting sustainable supply chains, The Editorial Board thanks Ms. Nadia Aftab, United Nations Industrial

mitigating climate change through renewable energy and Development Organization (UNIDO) Representative in Pakistan for

efficiency measures, and alleviating hunger by enhancing sparing from her precious time to give exclusive interview for Chartered
ManagementAccountantJournal.

agribusiness value chains and reducing post-harvest losses.

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant,Jan-Feb 2024 7