Pak, China firms partner to open exclusive coffee shop model to assist people with disabilities and create employment.
On January 12, Chinese and Pakistani companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce an inclusive coffee shop model in Pakistan, designed to improve social welfare and create job opportunities for people with disabilities.
This initiative aims to tackle the persistent unemployment challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in Pakistan. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one billion people worldwide live with disabilities, and in Pakistan, 6.2 percent of the population experiences barriers to education, employment, and social participation, as reported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The agreement was signed by Qaiser Nawab, CEO of Brainy Bridge International, and Xiong Hongxia, General Manager of YUAN MENG 123 Technology. It represents the first step in establishing Pakistan’s inaugural inclusive coffee shop, adhering to global accessibility and employment inclusion standards.
In China, YUAN MENG 123 Technology has pioneered accessible coffee spaces that incorporate barrier-free facilities, information, and services. Their operations emphasize digitization and standardization and include initiatives supporting accessible transportation and disability employment.
These coffee shops prioritize employing individuals with disabilities, such as baristas with hearing impairments, who often excel in sensory skills crucial to coffee-making. Over the past three years, the initiative has trained 200 baristas, supported five startups led by people with disabilities, and established 12 cafés.
Moreover, Brainy Bridge International, specializing in business development, public relations, and marketing, plans to bring this inclusive coffee shop model to Pakistan and explore its potential expansion to other countries.
“This collaboration is about more than business,” stated Qaiser Nawab. “It’s about fostering inclusivity and expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities. We are eager to partner with our Chinese counterparts to promote the social and economic empowerment of differently-abled individuals in Pakistan.”
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