SECP concludes day two of Startup Summit

KARACHI: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Tuesday concluded second day of the Pakistan Startup Summit in Karachi. The event continued to generate immense enthusiasm and engagement.

Policymakers, startup founders, international speakers and other key stakeholders actively participated in insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions. The event further solidified its position as a pivotal platform for fostering innovation and economic growth in Pakistan.

The day commenced with a welcome address by SECP Executive Director Khalida Habib, who reflected on the previous day’s journey to explore opportunities and challenges for Pakistani start-ups. She emphasised the SECP’s dedication to fostering a sustainable and resilient ecosystem through technology, policy and partnerships, encouraging participants to engage fully in discussions around digital finance, regulatory sandbox initiatives, and data-driven innovation.

In his keynote address, SECP Commissioner Abdul Rehman Warraich highlighted the SECP’s ongoing commitment to creating a regulatory environment that encourages entrepreneurial growth. He introduced the recent establishment of the SECP’s innovation office, a ground-breaking initiative designed to provide startups with regulatory guidance, mentorship and insights, thereby lowering barriers and enabling sustainable growth.

Warraich also underscored the importance of digital transformation and financial inclusion, discussing the SECP’s regulatory sandbox, which has fostered advancements in digital payments, peer-to-peer lending, and alternative financing models.

A series of presentations followed, including a video on the SECP’s regulatory sandbox journey and insights into Pakistan’s digital payment ecosystem, Raast P2M, and the Pakistan Digital Stack. Musarat Jabeen, SECP Executive Director, also delivered an impactful presentation preceding the official launch of the SECP innovation office.

On the second day, attendees engaged in seven impactful panel discussions exploring crucial themes for the country’s start-up ecosystem.

The panels began with ‘Unlocking Innovation: SECP’s Regulatory Sandbox Journey’, where experts shared insights on the SECP’s sandbox as an innovation catalyst and discussed the role of the innovation office in balancing creativity with compliance.

In ‘Unlocking Big Data’s Potential: From Insight to Innovation’, panellists examined how data analytics is driving growth across sectors like finance, logistics and digital services, while underscoring data’s potential for competitive advantage and social impact.

The need for robust data protection was emphasised in ‘Balancing Risk and Opportunity: Data Protection in a Connected World’, where strategies for enhancing cybersecurity without stifling innovation were shared.

‘From Startup to Scaleup’ highlighted the cultural and operational shifts necessary for start-ups to scale, focusing on team dynamics and leadership. In ‘Bridging Gaps with Embedded Finance’, panellists discussed how embedded finance can foster interoperability across industries, creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

The discussion continued with ‘Innovative Financial Solutions in the Digital Space’, spotlighting how digital platforms are transforming SME and education financing as well as fractionalized products like gold-based investments.

Finally, ‘Peer-to-Peer Lending: Unlocking Alternative Financing’ examined the role of P2P lending in broadening credit access for individuals and businesses, supporting financial inclusion and reshaping Pakistan’s financial landscape. Together, these discussions underscored the SECP’s commitment to building a progressive, inclusive, and tech-driven start-up ecosystem in Pakistan.