The National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) Islamabad, in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), organized 2nd seminar of the series on Blue Economy, titled “Challenges to Maritime Trade.” It was centered around regional connectivity initiatives including BRI, global & regional security imperatives, latest technological & climate stimuli, etc.
In his opening remarks, Vice Admiral (Retd) Ahmed SaeedHI(M), President NIMA, while welcoming the guests, outlined the key themes of the topic. The Guest of Honor Captain.NaeemSarfraz, emphasized the importance of inclusion of subject-matter experts in the policymaking hierarchy. He also advised to adopt cheap, safe and green inland water transportation system.
Renowned scholars Dr. AnjumSarfraz, Dr. Hassan Daud and Dr. MalihaZeba Khan set the stage for ensuing panel discussions.
The panelist included renowned experts, i.e. Ambassador NadeemRiyaz, Dr. ShabanaFayyaz, Dr Salma Malik, DrFaizHussain, DrKhurramIqbal, and DrUsmanChohan. They offered further insights into Pakistan’s missing links of maritime vision, policy, strategy and its implementation plan. There is a need to interlace maritime diplomacy with global maritime industry.
The participants also lauded the efforts of Pak Navy in expanding the scope of ‘Exercise Aman’ by introducing PIMEC initiative to integrate world maritime industry into the national economy. It was a concerted view that maritime trade generates economic activities, that eventually contributes to national power; therefore, its an established historical fact that trade sprouts the major powers’ status.
The Chief Guest, Vice Admiral Ahmad TasnimHI(M), SJ & BA R S.Bt (Retd), appreciated the quality input by all experts. He suggested to the country’s economic policy-makers to shift the ‘Center of Gravity’ of the economy from north to south.—PR
