Latest news with #RiinaKionka
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pre-departure ceremony held for Erasmus Mundus scholars
ISLAMABAD: As many as 114 Pakistani students, including 66 females-representing nearly 58 per cent of the cohort-are all set to pursue their dream studies at top universities across Europe. Pakistan has once again topped the list of Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programme recipients for 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of this remarkable achievement. To celebrate this milestone, the delegation of the European Union (EU) in Pakistan, in collaboration with the French Embassy, organised a pre-departure ceremony to honour the awardees. The event brought together Erasmus+ scholars, alumni, dignitaries, and institutional partners to recognise the growing success of the programme in Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has played a vital role in facilitating the Erasmus+ Programme since it began operations in Pakistan in 2014, with HEC's support formally offered in 2016. Through strategic partnerships, awareness campaigns, and dedicated assistance, HEC has promoted Erasmus+ as a flagship initiative for international academic mobility. The HEC exercised active collaboration with the EU delegation, higher education institutions, and alumni to encourage participation and strengthen Pakistan's academic presence on the global stage. The HEC promotes various Erasmus+ actions by organising information sessions for Pakistani universities and their faculty including deans, heads of departments, international offices, registrar offices, students, and related organisations. These sessions cover Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM), including scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM), International Credit Mobility (ICM), Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE), and Jean Monnet (JM) activities. Dr Riina Kionka, EU ambassador to Pakistan, emphasised the EU's commitment to youth empowerment, educational collaboration, and Erasmus+ as a bridge between Europe and Pakistan. She briefed the audience on the evolution of the Erasmus+ Programme, which began within Europe and later expanded globally. She expressed her delight that Pakistan has continued to secure the highest number of scholarships for four consecutive years and praised the dedication of programme alumni in mentoring and guiding new awardees, calling it a commendable example of solidarity. Dr Kionka noted that Erasmus+ is more than just a scholarship programme it is a platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning. She highlighted that it provides a legal pathway for young Pakistani students to pursue higher education abroad. Urging the scholars to embrace every learning opportunity, she emphasized the importance of mutual respect and shared values. She also extended her gratitude to all institutional partners, particularly HEC and the EU member states hosting the students. Speaking at the ceremony, Nicolas Galey, French ambassador to Pakistan, reiterated France's commitment to academic excellence and intercultural dialogue. He emphasised France's popularity as a destination for Pakistani students and expressed hope that the success of this programme would pave the way for Pakistani universities to join the Erasmus Mundus consortium. He added that this milestone should inspire the next step deeper institutional partnerships. Ambassador Galey commended the students for their achievements and encouraged them to fully embrace the academic and cultural diversity they would encounter in Europe. He advised them to make the most of their scholarship opportunities in service of Pakistan and urged them to keep their 'eyes and hearts open' to learning and cultural exchange. 'I am highly hopeful about your excellent future,' he concluded. Pakistan's participation in Erasmus+ has grown significantly over the years. To date, more than 2,500 Pakistani students have benefited from Erasmus+ scholarships, with over 200 students selected annually in recent years. In 2024, a record 189 Pakistani students were awarded Erasmus Mundus scholarships. For 2025, Pakistan has once again secured the top global ranking. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, EU sign €20 million grant deal to improve business environment, governance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union have signed a €20 million grant agreement to launch the 'Better Governance and Business Environment' initiative in the South Asian country, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday. The agreement, signed by EU Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka and Secretary Economic Affairs Division Dr. Kazim Niaz, aims to enhance the competitiveness of Pakistan's private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including those led by or benefiting women. Pakistan's government has increasingly spoken about achieving sustainable economic growth and moving the country away from his usual 'boom and bust' cycle through financial reforms, signing trade, business and grant deals with regional allies worth billions of dollars and enhancing its exports. 'The program will strengthen SME-related legislation, support the green transition of export-oriented firms, facilitate targeted green investments, and promote public-private dialogue,' the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported. The development comes as Pakistan takes policy measures to increase lending portfolio of SMEs to enhance their contributions to employment, exports and the national GDP. These enterprises account for approximately 40 percent of the country's GDP, 25 percent of exports and nearly 78 percent of non-agricultural employment, according to the Pakistani finance ministry. But despite their contributions, their access to formal finance remains 'disproportionately low,' with a small percentage of private-sector lending currently directed toward them 'This expansion is expected to enhance the contribution of SMEs to GDP, exports, employment, youth and women's digital empowerment, and overall financial inclusion, laying the foundation for sustained and inclusive economic growth,' the finance ministry said this month. 'Deregulation efforts, such as reducing reliance on NOCs and increasing e-inspections, are also being introduced to reduce compliance burdens for SMEs.' Pakistan will also use a $1.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund's climate resilience fund to expand fiscal space, embed climate planning into public investment decisions and unlock private-sector capital for green projects, the IMF said last week.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
EU, Pakistan sign €20m grant to support SMEs
Listen to article The government of Pakistan and the European Union (EU) signed a €20 million grant agreement on Thursday for launching the "Better Governance and Business Environment" initiative, reaffirming their shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive economic development. The agreement was signed by EU Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka and Economic Affairs Division Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz. Funded under the EU's Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027, the initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of Pakistan's private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those led by or benefiting women. The programme will strengthen SME-related legislation, support the green transition of export-oriented firms, facilitate targeted green investments and promote public-private dialogue. It aligns with the EU's Global Gateway strategy, GSP+ commitments and the EU Green Deal, promoting smart, sustainable investment and resilient value chains. Speaking on the occasion, Kazim Niaz expressed appreciation for the EU's continued support and partnership. He emphasised the timely nature of the intervention, highlighting its strong alignment with Uraan Pakistan's goals for private sector development and institutional reforms to attract responsible investment. Ambassador Riina Kionka stated, "This agreement underscores the EU's commitment to supporting Pakistan in building a resilient, inclusive and competitive economy. We are investing in green innovation, women-led businesses and public-private partnerships to ensure a more sustainable future for all Pakistanis."
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan signs €20mn grant deal with EU to boost governance, business environment
Pakistan and the European Union (EU) on Thursday signed a €20 million grant agreement to launch the 'Better Governance and Business Environment' initiative, aimed at strengthening governance and improving competitiveness of the private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The agreement was signed by EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka and Secretary Economic Affairs Division Dr. Kazim Niaz. The programme is part of the EU's Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027. According to officials, the initiative will support SME-related legislation, promote the green transition of export-oriented businesses, and encourage targeted investments aligned with the EU's Global Gateway strategy, the GSP+ framework, and the EU Green Deal. Dr. Niaz thanked the EU for its continued support, terming the programme a timely intervention aligned with the government's 'Uraan Pakistan' strategy for institutional reforms and responsible private sector growth. Ambassador Kionka said the EU is committed to helping Pakistan build a more inclusive and sustainable economy by investing in green innovation, women-led enterprises, and public-private partnerships. The EU's development cooperation with Pakistan continues to focus on climate resilience, human rights, governance, and sustainable economic growth.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
EU envoy calls on commerce minister
Listen to article The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan, Dr Riina Kionka, called on Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan to discuss strengthening bilateral trade ties and upcoming business engagements between the EU and Pakistan. During the meeting, Kionka invited the commerce minister to deliver closing remarks at the European Union-Pakistan Business Forum (EU-PKBF), scheduled for May 14-15, 2025, in Islamabad. The forum aims to facilitate high-level dialogue, strengthen business partnerships, and unlock trade and investment opportunities between the EU and Pakistan. It will feature investment presentations, B2B and B2G matchmaking sessions, and focus on key sectors such as agribusiness, IT, machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and green infrastructure. Another key highlight of the discussion was the launch of the EU-Pakistan Business Network (EUPBN) during the forum. This network, comprising more than 300 EU companies operating in Pakistan, will serve as a unified voice for European businesses, fostering investment and trade relations. The commerce minister welcomed these initiatives and appreciated the EU's role in supporting economic cooperation. He acknowledged that the growing engagement between Pakistan and the EU will create stronger business ties and new investment opportunities. The EU is Pakistan's second-largest trading partner and primary export destination, accounting for around 12 billion in bilateral trade in 2024. The EU-Pakistan Business Forum will further deepen the long-standing economic and diplomatic partnership between Pakistan and the European Union.
