7th Edition of the Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit (LIIBS) Showcases Collaboration for Growth in Islamabad

The 7th Edition of the Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit (LIIBS) in Islamabad showcased a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration under the theme ‘Collaborating for Growth’. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman (Rtd), Pakistan’s former Chief of Air Staff (2015-2018), highlighted the private sector’s pivotal role in driving economic growth and innovation. He stressed collaborative efforts between government and private enterprises to unlock opportunities, attract investments, and address economic challenges. Aman highlighted the shift towards geo-economics, underscoring the private sector’s responsibility. He urged the need to reassess government-business dynamics for sustainable economic growth, underscoring the importance of consistent policies, enhancing cooperation and fostering mutual understanding between the two sectors.

The day began with a stimulating dialogue, ‘Forging the Future’, moderated by Dr Shahid Mahmud, Chairman & CEO of Interactive Group of Companies. The panel included Konstantin Makarov, Senior Executive Officer at StartLink, Middle East & Africa; Strategic Advisor for Global Markets at Van Tuyl Companies & Perry Ellis International; Arshad Saeed Hussain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press, Pakistan; Dr Zeeshan Bin Ishtiaque, CEO of Shifa International Hospital; and Ali Khizar, Head of Research at Business Recorder.

Hussain pointed out the need for a sustainable educational framework, advocating for bite-sized learning modules, gamification, and blended learning. Makarov outlined five key trends in emerging markets, while Ishtiaque highlighted the opportunities in challenges and the importance of teamwork in simplifying complexity. Khizar addressed Pakistan’s revenue and governance issues, stressing digitalisation and proactive measures to prevent recurring financial crises.

A highlight of the day was the panel discussion on Leadership & Strategy in the Age of Disruption, moderated by Saquib Ahmad, Country Managing Director of SAP Pakistan, Iraq, Bahrain & Afghanistan. Esteemed panelists, Dr Amjad Waheed, CEO of NBP Funds, and Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer of PTCL Group, shared insights on navigating the modern world’s changing dynamics.

The NBP Funds CEO highlighted the need to disrupt mindsets, underlining the profound shift in perspective affecting decision-making and problem-solving. Meanwhile, Hasham discussed the telecom industry’s evolution, stressing the importance of readily available communication means for successful societies. SAP MD concluded with a call to own change, emphasising individual responsibility for impactful disruption and societal progress.

In his address tackling challenges in climate, FDI, and economic growth, Sajjeed Aslam, Partner at Spectreco LLC, USA, posed a crucial question: “Who will take on the pivotal responsibility to drive change? Across civilisations, there is a common pursuit to identify those few wise individuals who will initiate action. While discussions may abound, the true challenge lies in the execution phase.”

Aslam elaborated, “It takes effort, courage, and motivation to move from zero to one, the most difficult journey. It’s not one to nine; it’s zero to one, requiring thrust and collective effort.”

Emerging issues were highlighted in a subsequent session between Moustafa H Moharram, Chairman of Moharram & Partners, and Usman Yousuf, Director of Nutshell Communications, focusing on the BIG Rethink for collaboration.

Yousuf opened the discussion, reflecting on appreciating one’s birth country and shifting focus from problems to contributions to the community. Moharram, sharing his experience in Pakistan, highlighted cultural, economic, and historical closeness to Egypt, advocating collaboration to leverage Pakistan’s talent pool for mutual benefit.

The conversation on Big Data ensued, moderated by Mujeeb Zahur, Managing Director at S&P Global Pakistan, delving into data application’s ideal utilisation to fortify the economic and industrial framework. The panel featured Marisa Taylor, Head of Commercial Technology Architecture & Engineering; Mike Ying, Head of Data Architecture; and Jeffrey Malin, Head of Solution Delivery, all from S&P Global’s Digital Solutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2024.

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