World sees Pakistan as emerging economy: Ahsan Iqbal

Karachi: Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reforms said Pakistan has been changed into a different and a progressing country having a lot of potential for foreign and local investors and businessman to start and expand their business on the land of world’s new emerging economy.

He was speaking as a chief guest at “11th CEO SUMMIT ASIA 2015”, Best Leadership Award Ceremony & Book Launch of “100 Best Performing CEOs, Leaders & Companies of Pakistan 2015” held on Thursday at Marriott Karachi. In which, CEO Club Pakistan paid tribute to the CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders, Policy Makers, Economic Managers, and Difference Makers in appreciation and recognition of their tireless efforts, commitment and contribution to the economy of Pakistan in testing times with the theme “Believe In Pakistan”.

Aamir Niazi (CEO, Descon Oxychem & Descon Chemicals Ltd); Ijaz Nisar founder & President CEO Club Pakistan & Manager Today Magazine;  Atif Bajwa (President & CEO – Bank Alfalah Limited); Muhammad Ali Tabba (CEO – Lucky Cement Ltd.); Irfan Siddiqui (President & CEO – Meezan Bank Ltd.); Marvi Memon MNA PML; S M Muneer, Chief Executive TDAP;  Nadeem Hussain (Founder/ President – Tameer Microfinance Bank); Khalid Nawaz Awan  Chairman – TCS; Dr. S. Mujtaba Ghaus (Chairman, Grace Refinery Limited Pakistan); JUNAID AHMED (CEO, Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan) and others address on the occasion.

Federal Minister said the corporate sector and masses should alter their approach towards Pakistan as positive in tandem with visible development and peaceful scenario across the country which was made possible with efforts of democratic government.

He added the world is witnessing Pakistan as important player in the region with the Chinese mega investment plans which will integrate country closer to Central Asian countries with a strategic role.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor will bring development and prosperity in the country with investment of $40 billion by Chinese investors in the power sector along with $5 billion investment in infrastructure and networks of roads and bridges. The trade corridor will not only limited to a country or a sector but it will expand its scope to mainstream industries and allied businesses that will be given boost by new road of progress.

He said the government is taking solid initiatives to build Pakistan in collaboration with local and foreign investors who believe Pakistan as lucrative and high-returned market for them.

Iqbal added that energy is sector is priority of the government hence it is exerting its all out efforts to generate electricity at reasonable rates in order to pave the way towards a country as industrial state. In this regard, the government will borrow loans from World Bank and Asia Development Bank at 2 percent interest rates.

Ijaz Nisar said, “We always quote success stories of western CEOs but do not highlight achievements of local entrepreneurs like Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui, Kamran Rizvi, Asad Umar, Muhammad Zubair Motiwala and Ahsan Iqbal. We have our own local Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Laxmi Mittal who can turn the fate and face of the country if they are provided conducive and friendly environment for doing business.”

He said the summit was an ideal opportunity for building relationships with peers and colleagues who can share information, insights and inspiration that can be of vital help for your organization. The summit also provided multiple opportunities to gather with other summit attendees in order to extend once reach and influence into the community of his/her fellow senior CEO leaders.

The purpose of this mega corporate event is to bring the soft corporate image of Pakistan at global level and book culture. As many as 600 top Chairmen, CEOs, Presidents, MDs, Country Managers, Entrepreneurs, Government Officials, Business Hitachi , Diplomats , Business Leaders and C-Level Management attended the event.

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