The Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) plans to organize an internarial standard of marketing conference in Karachi next year, followed by Lahore and Islamabad. This was disclosed by Muhammad Azfar Ahsan of MAP President and Ex-Minister of State & Chairman, Board of Investment, Govt; of Pakistan on the “Inaugural Lunch & Dialogue” of MAP at Movenpick Hotel in Karachi today.
He said the prevailing economic situation in the country is short-lived. Still, it has to be revived in months to come considering the billions of dollars in every sector of the economy. He said Pakistan is a very attractive market for foreign investors even in this situation which is evident that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is willing to initiate a dialogue with Pakistan to explore various long-term investment venues. He will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet top officials and discuss Pakistan’s investment plans.
He said that MAP’s role is very meaningful in the contribution of the private sector and the country’s economy; however, it needs to enhance its footprint through various chapters and the new membership of experienced members and leaders, including women professionals.
He also intends to enrol 300 plus new numbers during his tenure and to open a MAP chapter in Islamabad. To induct women into the member’s council on a merit basis, he desired to do so.
MAP’s web says it was founded in 1967 as a prestigious forum for professional marketers. MAP has about 1,000 individual and 100 institutional members. Besides individual members, almost every large multi-national and national organization has a MAP membership. The Association also has its Chapter in Lahore.
On occasion, Faysal Bank Limited CEO & President Yousaf Hussain said the Faysal Bank had been converted to a full-fledged Islamic bank by the end of 2022, a dream of its board of directors eight years ago. The bank will enhance its presence with nearly 700 branches converted by the end of 2022 to be the second largest Islamic in the country, with a wide range of innovative products, including a Sharia-compliant credit card.
Later, President & CEO of Faysal Bank Limited Yousaf Hussain; Chairman of Pakistan Business Council & Pakistan Banks’ Association Muhammad Aurangzeb; President of Overseas Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ghias Khan; Chief Executive Officer, InfraZamin Maheen Rahman and Chairman & CEO of Unilever Pakistan Limited Amir Paracha; Country Managing Director, SAP Pakistan Saquib Ahmad have shared their valued food for thoughts and suggestion on the topic Imaging The Unimaginable. They stressed the collaborated and sustainable efforts for economic growth at the inaugural launch and dialogue of the Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) on the theme of “Imagining the Unimaginable” in Karachi today.
Muhammad Aurangzeb, President and CEO of Habib Bank Limited and Chairman of Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), said Pakistan’s exit from FATF’s grey list is the prime example of the benefits of united efforts by the policymakers, state institutions, and the private sector can bring, and this should be replicated with the same spirit for addressing the core macroeconomic issues.
He added that the Charter of Economy is a workable idea at a national level to address the selected areas of the economy by all these key stakeholders on a sustainable basis.
Ghias Khan, President Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and Engro Corporation, said the government should devise a comprehensive policy environment to boost productive sectors and industries rather than unproductive ones like real estate.
He also said that the government should realize that the country’s economic growth is bound to regional development, like in the case of the GCC and ASEAN. Hence, bilateral trade with neighbouring countries should be promoted in the future.
Maheen Rahman, CEO InfraZamin, said that Pakistan stands among the five most populous countries in the world. Still, its contribution is negligible to the global economy, whereas the ten most populous countries contribute 60 % GDP of the world. Unfortunately, being part of this select group, we only contribute 0.4%. She highlighted that Pakistan could double its share in the global economy by doubling its GDP, labour productivity, and women’s participation in the workforce. In this regard, investment in human capital is indispensable, mainly in health, education and skilled development.
Aamir Paracha, CEO of Unilever Pakistan Limited, said the government policy should also consider its focus from GDP growth rate to the development of the Human Development Index (HDI), which we as a country stand among the lowest across the world. He further said that the government and NGOs could not fill the gap between society and the economy. Still, he further said that the private sector should also take ownership of developing the country’s socioeconomic situation.
Former Information Minister Javed Jabbar said Pakistan has immense potential to develop on the face of the world with various unique derivatives, many opportunities, and its geographical presence. The formation of Pakistan can also be attributed to imagining the unimagine as not only the British Empire but congress and Muslim scholars were against Quad-e-Azam, the founder of Pakistan, he added.
The Country Manager of SAP Pakistan was the moderator of the dialogue.