A two-day International Conference on “The State of Pakistan’s Economy: Issues and Challenges in the 21st Century” was held on September 27-28, 2016 at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), according to IoBM Public Affairs Section. Various sessions of the Conference discussed significant issues pertaining to the fields of economy, trade, agriculture, environment, energy and climate, industry, and social issues.
Speaking during various sessions of the Conference among many were distinguished luminaries including H.E Mr. Oleg N. Avdee, Consulate General of Russian Federation; Dr. Shahida Wizarat, Dean CESD, Chief Editor Pakistan Business Review (PBR) and HoD Economics Department, IoBM, who was also the Convener of this Conference; Ambassador (Retd.) Syed Hasan Javed, Director, Chinese Centre, NUST, Islamabad; and Dr. Natalia Zamaraeva, Senior Researcher, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russia. The Conference was also attended by Mr. Andrey V. Fedorov, Senior Consul/Deputy Chief of Mission, Russian Consulate in Karachi; Mr. Memon Abdul Jabbar, Honorary Consul to Ukraine at Karachi; Mr. Khalid Rahman, Director General, Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad; and Dr. Abdul-Salam Lodhi, Associate Professor, Economics, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences.
During his opening remarks, Mr. Talib S. Karim, Rector IoBM informed the audience of different programs and courses being offered at IoBM. He accentuated upon IoBM providing guidance to students to pursue entrepreneurial projects to become job creators and not job seekers. Mr. Talib Karim also illustrated upon IoBM’s Student Exchange Program through which a number of students from IoBM have gained international learning and knowledge.
The Guest of Honor H.E Mr. Oleg N. Avdee, during his speech, asserted that the deliberations made during this Conference should enable us to create a better economic future. He stressed upon the significance of Pakistan and Russia engaging in business projects for mutual growth and in creating regional harmony.
Speaking at the Conference, Dr. Shahida Wizarat, elucidated upon various aspects of the action plan for Pakistan’s sustainable economic development while presenting her research paper, “A Secure, Strong and Prosperous Pakistan – Some Policy Guidelines.” Dr. Shahida shared policy guidelines on improving Pakistan’s economic health by focusing on agriculture, industry, physical and social infrastructure, natural resources, trade and finance, and the need for elevating honest, competent, and patriotic Pakistanis in leadership positions.
Mr. Syed Hasan Javed while presenting his paper titled “Learning Lessons from China’s Economic Reforms and Open Door Policy” opined the CPEC to be a ‘game changer’ for Pakistan. Mr. Hasan said that countries develop their economies by implementing economic reforms and that Pakistan must follow reforms as exercised by China including collective leadership, investment in human capital and research, and by learning from global best practices.
Dr Natalia Zamaraeva shared her perspective on “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Prospects and Challenges” by underlining China’s assistance to Pakistan in expanding cooperation in the fields of infrastructural development, electricity, engineering, technology, and environment.
