ISLAMABAD: Hashoo Group and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will create a framework of collaboration on capacity building, hospitality education, entrepreneurship and impact investment. This joint contract will combine the technical expertise of USAID with the largest hospitality company in Pakistan to improve tourism and private sector growth in a sustainable way. The partnership with USAID will enable Hashoo Group to provide programs that achieve significant development results.
Hashoo Group of companies, as owner and operators of the Pearl Continental Hotels, Marriott Hotels and Hotel One brands with properties located all over the country, plays a significant role in Pakistan’s growing travel and tourism industry. Travel and Tourism is stages to contribute over PKR 1 trillion by 2025 and this pact will help reach that projection though effective industry standards and cutting-edge programs.
Opportunities created by this partnership will contribute to building centers for vocational training, promotion of entrepreneurship, and fostering sustainable business practices will drive greater growth in the various sectors Hashoo Group as a conglomerate, is involved in. Speaking on the occasion, MurtazaHashwani, Deputy Chairman of Hashoo Group said, “While Hashoo Group’s interests span several industries including real estate, industries and energy, we see an opportunity to make an immediate impact in the hospitality industry in Pakistan for now.”
Echoing this sentiment, the USAID Pakistan Mission Director, John Groarke said, “We are partnering with selected leading private sector companies and this partnership with Hashoo Group particularly allows us to work across social and economic several development objectives and thereby making the impact larger for a stronger Pakistan.” Hospitality in Pakistan have seen a steady increase in growth in the past ten years and has more than doubled its contribution to total GDP since 2006. To meet the rapidly rising demand for hospitality offerings in Pakistan, investment in capacity building will be critical to the long-term sustainability of this sector.
Through this partnership several thousand Pakistanis will be impacted through training programs, technological and innovation implementations, medium scale impact funds projects and other programs.
