Pakistan Investment conference in London evinces British Investor’s interests

An investment conference on Pakistan was held in London on 23-24 May 2016. Mr. Muhammad Zubair, MOS/Chairman Privatization Commission of Pakistan represented the country at the conference. Mr Nadeem Naqvi, MD Pakistan Stock Exchange along with CEOs and CFOs of 13 leading Pakistani companies participated in the event.

The Conference was organized by JS Global Capital Ltd, a leading investment and brokerage banking firm of Pakistan and was hosted by Renaissance Capital of the UK. Leading investors and fund managers of the City of London held over 200 business to business meetings to brainstorm with their Pakistani counterparts with significant interest to invest in Pakistan.

The focus of the Conference was:-

i. To lobby support for Pakistan to regain the MSCI Emerging Market status (MSCI

to review the same by June 2016); and

ii. To attract both Direct Foreign Investment and Foreign Portfolios Investment towards Pakistan in the wake of turnaround in the country’s macro-economic indicators The Conference was attended by leading fund management firms, investment banks, and other fund managers based in UK, US and Europe while Bloomberg, Reuters, and Financial Times alongside local media were also invited for coverage of the event.

Later, in the evening of 24th May, 2016, H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, the High Commissioner hosted a dinner in honour of the delegates from Pakistan and the UK. The CEO’s and CFO’s of over 50 leading British companies and corporate bodies attended the dinner. Besides, British Pakistani Lords, MPs and business people were present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion Muhammad Zubair, Chairman, Pakistan Privatization Commission, gave an overview of Pakistan economy, energy situation, and improved security environment of the country. He said that due to investment led growth policy of the present government the economy was showing an accelerated growth.

He said the Prime Minister himself was heading the Cabinet Committees on Security and Energy, which shows government’s commitment to address these challenges. Currently, there was no load shedding for the industrial sector, added the Chairman. He also said Pakistan is winning the fight against terrorism and extremism, mainly due to consensus of all stake holders. Our Armed Forces, having rendered great sacrifices, valiantly fought and broke the terrorists backbone, who are on the run.

The Chairman also updated the guests on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and termed it a major economic breakthrough for the country as well as for the region.

The High Commissioner appreciated the keen interest expressed by the British and the international companies in Pakistan during the two-day Conference. He expressed hope that international investors would take advantage of the conducive business environment in the country especially, in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which promises economic opportunities galore.

Mr. Nadeem Naqvi, MD Pakistan Stock Exchange also briefed the guests about the state of Pakistan economy and future prospects. He said that Pakistan’s economy is expected to grow between 5 and 6 percent over the next five years. Mr Ali Jehangir Siddiqui from JS Global Capital Ltd also spoke on the occasion.

The Conference offered a good opportunity to the Pakistani businesses to collaborate and develop linkages with the British and the international companies. Islamabad

25 May 2016

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