Islamabad, May 27, 2025: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Export Development Fund (EDF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively work on projects aimed at boosting Pakistan’s export potential through innovation, research, and workforce development.
The MoU was formalized by Executive Director HEC Engr. Dr. Mazhar Saeed and Executive Director EDF Syed Abbas Mehdi, with Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and Secretary Ministry of Commerce Mr. Jawad Paul also present at the signing ceremony alongside senior officials from both institutions.
This partnership focuses on investing in export-oriented research, creating avenues for technology transfer, and addressing challenges faced by Pakistani exporters in value addition. Selected projects will be reviewed and funded by a committee of experts comprising officials from HEC, EDF, and industry leaders, ensuring targeted impact.
The collaboration will prioritize five key areas:
✅ Boosting research grants for industry-driven innovation
✅ Establishing advanced research and testing laboratories for exporters and startups
✅ Strengthening industry-academia linkages to enhance practical applications of research
✅ Expanding international outreach by facilitating partnerships between local and global institutions
✅ Elevating workforce skills to meet modern trade and technological demands
Speaking at the event, Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed described the partnership as a significant step toward impact-driven research, emphasizing HEC’s efforts through initiatives such as the Research for Innovation Portal (RFI), Offices of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORICs), and Business Incubation Centres (BICs). He highlighted HEC’s strategic shift from quantity-focused research to high-impact, applicable studies that contribute to national development.
Secretary Ministry of Commerce Mr. Jawad Paul reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to doubling Pakistan’s exports within five years through initiatives that enhance firm competitiveness. He praised HEC’s research and innovation programs and expressed optimism that the HEC-EDF collaboration would contribute to achieving national export targets.
In his welcome remarks, Executive Director HEC Engr. Dr. Mazhar Saeed discussed the bilateral collaboration’s background, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between HEC and various institutions in strengthening research and innovation. He described the agreement as a forward-thinking roadmap that aims to propel Pakistan’s export sector to new heights through strategic initiatives.
This collaborative alliance underscores a shared vision to leverage academic excellence, targeted development funds, and industry-led innovations to significantly enhance Pakistan’s position in the global trade landscape.
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