Islamabad – National Incubator Center (NIC) Quetta has attracted startups from 22 out of 33 districts of Balochistan in the last three years.
In an interview with WealthPK, NIC Quetta Muhammad Shah Khan said Balochistan has successfully created and developed an entrepreneurial culture. The center was established in 2018, so far he has graduated 65 start-ups, created more than 480 jobs, with a cumulative turnover of approximately Rs 86 million and a cumulative investment of Rs 68 million.
“Another feature that is very unique to NIC Quetta is its micro-enterprise programme. The center has trained 58 micro-entrepreneurs, 76% of whom are women. micro-enterprises have seen a 70% increase in turnover and attracted more than Rs 6.5 crore in investment,” added U Muhammad Shah. He said the center is a hub of innovation that contributes to the state’s socio-economic advancement. NIC Quetta’s Business Incubation Program is designed exclusively for new entrants to the market by enabling the commercialization of technology development and fostering a culture of innovation statewide.
Muhammad Shah said the microenterprise program has helped dozens of home businesses thrive and drive investment. “NIC Quetta has not only successfully created jobs, but also acts as a provider of psychological support to budding entrepreneurs from across the state. , providing insightful advice and useful information,” said Muhammad Shah.
“NIC Quetta connects startups to the right people at the right time so that founders’ energy and resources are not wasted. We encourage them to offer advice, mutually beneficial collaborations,” he added. Muhammad Shah said the center’s environment has encouraged startups and micro-entrepreneurs to thrive beyond boundaries. He said more and more applications were being submitted, even from the most remote areas of Balochistan, and the center’s extensive outreach was increasing per cohort of graduates.
“Cumulatively, NIC Quetta startups have generated 409 direct and indirect jobs over the past three years,” he added. On women’s participation in digital markets, the NIC Quetta director said Balochistan is seen as a society with strict protocols when it comes to women’s representation in the economic, social and political spheres. However, this perception was shattered by the work and results produced by NIC Quetta. “An overwhelming number of women have applied and been nurtured at NIC Quetta over the last three years. Approximately 43% of startups incubated at NIC Quetta had a female founder or co-founder. 76% of the micro-entrepreneurs trained by NIC Quetta in the last three years were women,” added Muhammad Shah.
