Daily Times

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair Monday said that world was 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.

He was speaking as a chief guest at the ‘United Marine Agency (UMA) – 16th CEO Summit Asia and Leadership Award Ceremony 2017’ and ‘Book Launch 100 Performing CEOs, Leaders and Companies of Pakistan 2017’ organised by CEO Club Pakistan & CEO Today Magazine with the theme ‘Reshaping the Future: Build Greater Pakistan’.

The governor said that 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 said the corporate sector and masses should alter their approach towards Pakistan, especially after peaceful scenario across the country which was made possible with the efforts of the democratic government.

He added, “Pakistan’s economy was facing uncertain situation in 2013. The government worked day and night in its first three years to revive country’s economy and our hard work has put the economy on the path of prosperity. Pakistan Stock exchange is now the best stock exchange of region and its rise is a proof of the government’s successful economic policies.”

Former Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDA) chief executive SM Muneer said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will bring development and prosperity to the country. The trade corridor will not only be 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 maintained.

Ijaz Nisar, president CEO Club Pakistan, said: “We always quote success stories of western CEOs but do not highlight achievements of local entrepreneurs like Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui, Sohail Shams, Shazad G Dada and Muhammad Zubair. 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 different organisations. “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 was to bring the soft corporate image of Pakistan to global level and book culture. As many as 600 top chairmen, CEOs, presidents, MDs, country managers, entrepreneurs, government officials, diplomats, business leaders and C-Level Management attended the event.

Sohail Shams – Chief Executive Officer, United Marine Agency (Pvt) Ltd.; Aamir Niazi – Chief Executive Officer, Descon Oxychem Ltd; Kimihide Ando – SVP, Mitsubishi Corporation & CEO, Mitsubishi Pakistan l Former President, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI); S.M Muneer – Chairman, Din Group of Industries l Chief Executive, TDAP; Irfan Siddique – President & CEO, Meezan Bank; Ikram ul-Majeed Sehgal – Chairman, Pathfinder Group , Member of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Defence Analyst , Security Expert; Vanessa Audi Rhys O’Brien – British American Mountain Climber, Explorer, Public Speaker, She is among 100 powerful women in Forbes; Sirajuddin Aziz – President & CEO, Habib Metropolitan Bank; Muneer Kamal – President, Pakistan Stock Exchange l Former Chairman, Nation Bank of Pakistan; Shazad G Dada – President & Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan); Nadeem Hussain – Founder & Coach, Planet-N (Pvt.) Ltd; Kabeer Naqvi – Chief Operating Officer, U Microfinance Bank Ltd.; Kamran Nasir – CE , JS Global Capital Ltd; Arif Anees Malik – Executive Director, European Council on Global Relations l Author of ‘I’MPOSSIBLE’; Amjad Latif – MD & CEO, SNGPL; Lt Gen Muhammad Haroon Aslam – CEO & MD, Aaron Azlam (Pvt) Ltd.; Dr. Mahmood Ahmad – MD, Berger Paints Pakistan Limited; Khalid Mansoor – CEO, The Hub Power Company Ltd. (HUBCO); Saifuddin Zoomkawala – Chairman, EFU Group; Dr Mirza Ikhtiar – Baig Chairman, Baig Group; Mohammad Shoaib, CFA – CEO, Al Meezan Investment Management Limited; Muhammad Farid Alam – CEO, AKDs Securities; Muhammad Junaid- News Anchor; Senator A. Haseeb Khan – Chairman, Brookes Pharma; Sohail Wajahat Siddique – Former Chairman, PSO l Former Federal Minister l Former Chairman, Siemens; Malik Ahmad Jalal – CEO, Aman Foundation; M. Raza Pirbhai – CEO, KFC & Cupola Pakistan; Ayesha Aziz – MD, Pak Brunei; Sheikh Imran ul Haque – MD & CEO, Pakistan State Oil and Jahanzed Awan – Foundation Partner & CEO, J Awan Partners also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Daily Times, December 12^th 2017.