Closing cermony (IBCE 2016)

The IBCE 2016 concluded with the session on ‘Business Leadership and Economic Transformation.’ Addressing the concluding session, Abid H K Shirwani said that the IBCE 2016 attracted 150 companies from Pakistan and abroad while 70+ CEOs and entrepreneurs shared their tacit knowledge. There were seven technical sessions of the conference. The exhibition drew 20,000 visitors. All leading trade unions, leading business chambers and trade bodies participated. He thanked all the sponsors and exhibitors for their support. He also acknowledged the hard work put in by the IBCE organizing team.

Dr Emanuela Todeva, Director, Research Center for Business Cluster, UK, commended Abid H K Shirwani for bringing together government, academia and business. She expressed hope that one day Pakistan would develop as a great destination for tourists where arts and culture flourish and SMEs are free to come up with new services. How can triple helixes come together; that is the challenge for Pakistan. She urged the government to recognize pool of knowledge present in the universities and utilize it for sustainable development.

The Consul General of Turkey in Lahore said that more than 100 Turkish forms are operating in Pakistan. He said that many Pakistani firms are working in Turkey as well. Pakistan and Turkey share brotherly relations and there is a need for increasing economic cooperation. Transport, telecommunication and other sectors are good for economic cooperation.

Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad shared that the last 2 days have been a great learning experience and many thought provoking ideas have been discussed. He said that in the coming days we will interact with all the participants and stakeholders who attended the IBCE to bring them to a point of convergence to steer the transition of our economy.

Stefano Pontecorvo, Italian Ambassador in Pakistan, gave the concluding remarks. He said that Pakistan has great influence in the Islamic world and that is a great strength. Pakistan presents a great expanding market and this needs to be capitalized upon.