The Chief Guest of the Inaugural session was H.E Mr. Jemal Beker Abdula (Ambassador, Embassy of Ethiopia). Also in the session speakers were H.E Mr. Ibrahim Khalid Tawab (Honorary CG Ethiopia in Karachi), Cmdr (R ) Ovais Haider ( Director, Institute of Maritime Affairs), Mr. Majyd Aziz ( Former President KCCI ), Mr. Mohammad Rajpar ( Chairman Pakistan, Ship Agent Association ), Mr. Ateeq Ur Rehman (Economic & Financial Analyst) and Mr. Mehmood Tareen.H.E Jemal Bekar Abdula spoke widely about growing friendship between Pakistan and Ethiopia and the importance of Trade between both the countries. Mr. Majyd Aziz and Mr. Rajpar emphasized on development of Maritime, Shipping and Logistics Industry in Pakistan which is facing challenging situation due to current economic conditions.
Mr. Majyd Aziz explained the maritime education, now available in Karachi by asking the students to concentrate on this professional subject. Cmdr ( R) Ovais Haider presented his papers on ship building , ship breaking – a potential industry of Pakistan Economy and Maritime Growth. Mr. Ateeq ur Rehman spoke on importance of Blue Economy / Maritime . He said Blue Economy / Maritime , which encompasses all economics activities related to ocean , seas , coasts and marine resources , remains crucial for Pakistan and its Economy.
He emphasized on modernization of Blue Economy / maritime Industry by inviting land locked countries to use facilities of our ports, for which we have to further develop not only our infrastructure but also the mechanism and technology at the port. Mr. Mehmood Tareen thanked the participants and audience in such an important conference.The other valuable speakers in the conference included Dr. Asif Imam (Principal Bahria School of Maritime Time & Applied Sciences) Mr. Adnan Rafiq (Additional Collector of Customs – PSW ) , Mr. Mohammad Hanif Ajari ( Director , Export Network – Getzpharma) , Ms. Mahira Yamen ( Supply Chain – SGS) , Mr. Junaid Naqi ( President – KATI), Mr. Ahmed Azeem Alvi ( President – SITE Association of Industries).Mr. Anjum Nisar (Vice Chairman, BMG, KCCI) the Chief Guest in the concluding session said that Economies are driven by Trade.
For Sustainable Economic Development in the country we need continuity of Policies to achieve our economic goals. The Country needs to maintain discipline to increase the tax to GDP ratio and expansion of revenue base by attracting FDI as major role he however appreciated the attraction of foreign direct investment at Karachi ports. He emphasized on “Pakistan Comes First and Pakistan is the Priority”.
