Overview
Pakistan’s economy faced a lot of headwinds in 2018. Rising interest rates, depreciating currency and the twin deficits have been major challenges, while investments and financing help from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. have been positives. Despite these efforts, policy initiatives need to focus on arresting the widening imbalances, preserving macroeconomic stability, and lead to a private sector-led inclusive growth to avoid the boom and bust cycle.
What are the biggest challenges facing the government? What remedial policy actions will it need to take to rejuvenate the economy? And how will they impact the outlook for the rupee and financial markets in 2019? Join us for 2019 Pakistan Economic Forum, where we will cover these issues and many more across a special, insight-driven agenda. We will also be joined by special guest speaker Asad Umar, Minister of Finance, Pakistan.
Pre-registration is essential.
Agenda
- 08:30 AM – 09:30 AM
Registration and welcome breakfast
- 09:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Opening remarks and market prospective – Boris Grozev, Bloomberg Country Manager
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Keynote address – Mr. Asad Umar, Minister of Finance, Pakistan
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Economy, Finance and Energy Outlook for 2019 led by Mr. Faseeh Mangi, Bloomberg Journalist
- Mr. Zahid Mir – CEO, Oil and Gas Development Company
- Mr. Muhammad Arif Habib – Chairman, Arif Habib Group
- Mr. Ghias Khan – CEO, Engro Corporation
- Ms. Sadia Khan – CEO, Selar Enterprises
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Keynote Address: Mr. Tariq Bajwa – Governor, State Bank of Pakistan
- 12:00 PM – 13:00 PM
Prayer and networking lunch
- 13:00 PM – 13:30 PM
Bloomberg Economics – Ziad Daoud, Economist, Bloomberg L.P.
- 13:30 PM – 14:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Pakistan’s stock market outlook
Moderated by David Massias, Bloomberg Market Specialist- Mr. Richard Morin, CEO, Pakistan Stock Exchange
- Mr. Mohammad Shoaib, CEO, Al Meezan Investment Management
- Mr. Mohammed Sohail, CEO, Topline Securities
- Ms. Maheen Rahman, CEO, Alfalah GHP Investment Management
- Dr. Amjad Waheed, CEO, NBP Fund Management
- 14:30 PM – 15:30 PM
Networking Q&A session
Speakers
Asad Umar
Mr. Asad Umar assumed responsibilities as Pakistan’s Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs on 20th August, 2018. Mr. Asad Umar is an alumnus of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, where he earned his master’s degree in Business Administration in 1984. He started his career in Canada, with ExxonMobil, in 1985. In 1997, he was appointed as the first CEO of Engro Polymer & Chemicals, the Engro’s petrochemical arm. In 2004, he was appointed as the President and CEO of Engro Corporation, where he transformed the business from a predominately chemical concern to a giant conglomerate.
He was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2010 for his public service and tangible contribution in promoting investment in Pakistan. He began his political career in 2012 when he joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as its Senior Vice President. He was elected as a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan in 2013, and for a second term in July 2018. Mr. Asad Umar served as Chairman, National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Industries & Production from 2014 to 2018.
Zahid Mir
Mr. Zahid Mir is a Petroleum Engineer with over 27 years experience in the oil and gas industry with assignments relating to onshore and offshore operations having been involved at a senior level in all stages of upstream operations. He has strong HSE background, extensive experience as an oil and gas commercial negotiator and business developer, strategy, joint ventures and license management, new ventures, economic evaluations, mergers and acquisitions.
Mr. Zahid Mir had significant exposure to field operations including production, project development, development planning, conceptual engineering and operational support. During the performance of his functions, he closely interacted with oil and gas producers both in Pakistan and United Kingdom like Shell Exploration Pakistan B.V., Premier Exploration Pakistan Limited, Premier-Kufpec Pakistan B.V., Premier Oil Pakistan and Premier Oil U.K.
He has done his B.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering in 1986 from University of Engineering and Technology Lahore and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Preston University, Islamabad. He has become certified director during the year 2018 under directors’ training program as specified by SECP.
Mr. Zahid Mir is also director on the board of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL).
Arif Habib
Mr. Arif Habib is the Chief Executive of Arif Habib Corporation Limited. He is also the Chairman of Pakarab Fertilizers Limited, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited, Fatimafert Limited, Aisha Steel Mills Limited, Javedan Corporation Limited and Sachal Energy Development (Pvt.) Limited.
Mr. Arif Habib remained the elected President/Chairman of Karachi Stock Exchange, now known as Pakistan Stock Exchange, for, six times in the past and was a Founding Member and Chairman of the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited. He has served as a Member of the Privatisation Commission, Board of Investment, Tariff Reforms Commission and Securities & Exchange Ordinance Review Committee. Over the years he has been nominated on the Board of Directors of a number of companies by the Government of Pakistan.
Mr. Habib participates significantly in welfare activities. He is one of the trustees of Fatimid Foundation and Memon Health & Education Foundation as well as a director of Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy, Karachi Education Initiative and Karachi Sports Foundation.
Ghias Khan
Ghias Khan is the 4th President and Chief Executive Officer of Engro Corporation, playing a critical role in developing a ‘digital first’ vision and a strategic plan to guide the entire group of companies.
He remains a strong believer in social enterprise and the responsibility of businesses towards the environment and human wellbeing.
Before Engro, he held several roles across the Dawood Hercules Group of Companies, most recently being the Executive Director of Dawood Hercules. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Elixir Securities for 3 years. He also remained the CEO of Inbox Business Technologies for 15 years, helping in pivoting Inbox from a computer manufacturer to a systems integrator and then a technology enabled digital company. In his final year at Inbox, it was voted the largest technology company in Pakistan by Domestic Spend