Adnan Aamir
Quetta: Entrepreneurship is one of the most feasible solutions for the Economic Woes of people of Balochistan. Entrepreneurship would require some hard work initially but then it will be very fruitful and can support generations to come, said Shakoor Baloch Provincial Chief of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA).
Shakoor Baloch who has completed MBA from London South Bank University has been working for over 15 years in national and international organizations. In an exclusive interview given to Balochistan Voices, He discussed in length the livelihood problems in Balochistan and also offered solutions.
Entrepreneurship can also secure the future of the coming generations who can get a better education funded by a business
He said that entrepreneurship allows the person to be his own boss and he can get the reward in the end for all work that he does. “Entrepreneurship can also secure the future of the coming generations who can get a better education funded by a business,” added Mr. Baloch.
He stressed on the need of carrying out sustainable business activities. “In Balochistan most of the people do not indulge in sustainable activities. He added “For example a lot people carry out contracting business in Balochistan which is always a temporary solution. The reasons is that need to make a quick buck. So, the lack of sustainability has resulted in livelihood patterns in the province.”
Government needs to build an enabling environment and has to do image building and create an environment where business can flourish
When asked about the role of government in facilitating entrepreneurship, he said that government needs to build an enabling environment and has to do image building and create an environment where business can flourish.
He urged that youth should be the focus in the entrepreneurship promoting activities of the government.
“At the moment the problem is that universities and colleges in Pakistan are producing thousands of graduates who do not have the capacity to do anything other than doing jobs,” added Mr. Baloch.
Universities and colleges in Pakistan are producing thousands of graduates who do not have the capacity to do anything other than doing jobs
Lamenting the unemployment in Balochistan, SMEDA provincial chief said that there are almost no left opportunities for jobs in the province. “According to estimates, 25,000 people graduate in Balochistan and hardly 5 percent of them get jobs.”
Highlighting the natural resources potential of the province, Mr. Baloch said that there is abundance of natural resources in Balochistan which is sold in raw form. “If we add value to the natural resources and then sell them, then we can make a lot of money. So there is need to carry out proper planning to develop a proper structure of value addition for mineral resources,” he suggested.
Discussing the difficulties faced by people in starting business, Shakoor Baloch told Balochistan Voices that most people say that they do not have money and that’s why they could not do business. “I tell them that for business they need idea and money is secondary which can be arranged.” He said. “Facebook, Google, WhatsApp all of these successful companies were created by students who did not have much funds to begin with. So innovative ideas can help the youth to start their own business easily,” He continued.
For business idea is needed and money is secondary which can be arranged. Facebook, Google, WhatsApp all of these successful companies were created by students who did not have much funds to begin with
In response to a question asked by Balochistan Voices about role of SMEDA, Mr. Baloch said that SMEDA can help and facilitate people in business development.
“SMEDA has developed feasibility reports for 57 sectors for Prime Ministers Youth Loan scheme which are available free of cost on website of SMEDA.,” he said.
He further said that SMEDA is also focusing on carrying out projects in Universities where they would impart the message of entrepreneurship to students that they should be job creators rather than being job seekers.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and Balochistan Voices not necessarily agrees with them.
Share your comments!
