Global digital operator VEON Ltd and Nutshell Group have announced a strategic partnership to launch The Global Connect, an international platform designed to link policymakers, investors, corporate leaders and academia to advance cross-border investment and digital transformation across emerging and frontier economies.

The partnership was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed by VEON, Nutshell Group and JazzWorld at VEON’s global headquarters in Dubai, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit.

The agreement sets a framework for cooperation on digital innovation, inclusive growth and investment facilitation, with a focus on strengthening public-private partnerships.

Senior government officials and corporate leaders attended the signing, including Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE Shafqat Ali Khan, VEON Founder and Chairman Augie K. Fabela II, VEON Global CEO Kaan Terzioglu, and Nutshell Group Founder and Chairman Muhammad Azfar Ahsan.

Kayani said Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability, driven by consistent policies, had strengthened investor confidence and improved the business environment.

He welcomed the partnership, describing it as a positive signal for global investors, and assured full government support for initiatives that promote digitalisation and cross-border investment.

Ahsan said The Global Connect aims to convert investor interest into execution by offering a structured and credible platform. “Emerging economies do not lack potential. They lack mechanisms that connect capital, technology and markets with real opportunities,” he said.

In a joint statement, Fabela and Terzioglu reaffirmed VEON’s long-term commitment to Pakistan and other high-growth markets through the “Invest in Pakistan Now” initiative.

They highlighted the role of digital platforms in expanding financial inclusion, boosting productivity and accelerating economic participation.

Aamir Hafiz Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld, said Pakistan’s scale, resilience and expanding digital infrastructure position it well for the next phase of growth, adding that initiatives such as The Global Connect would help global investors better engage with on-ground opportunities.

The inaugural meeting of The Global Connect is scheduled to be held in Islamabad in May 2026 and is expected to bring together leaders from more than 25 countries to advance economic cooperation and promote sustainable and inclusive growth.

Headquartered in Islamabad, the platform plans a strategic presence across major global economic hubs in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, China, Europe and the Americas, aiming to deepen connectivity among investors, businesses and policymakers.

Organisers said The Global Connect is intended to serve as a long-term bridge between Pakistan and the international community, facilitating investment, trade and knowledge exchange across emerging and frontier markets.