In the current times when coronavirus has adversely impacted economies around the world, the need to pragmatically assess the situation, strategize and ensure sustainability beats all.
In a live session organized by Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies, the participants focused on the challenges and opportunities available during the current situation and expressed their views.
The session was attended by various industry leaders from different fields of life including the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Shandana Gulzar, President IIPS Advisory Board Lt Gen (r) Haroon Aslam, Shafiq Akbar, chairman Imarat Group of Companies, Mian Idrees, CEO Sitara Group, and Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chairman Baig Group.
The participants gave their insight on how the ongoing pandemic is adversely affecting the economic activity of the country, the long term adverse effects it will have on post-Covid world and how other countries are coping with the same circumstances.
Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Shandana Gulzar Khan stated that it was her firm belief that only trade and not aid will help Pakistan in moving forward. She stressed that the government should work on the sectors that are most patronized to give a boost to the economy.
Talking about opportunities and possibilities in the real estate sector, Shaqfiq Akbar emphasized that the need to be creative with product alignment and strategies is more than ever as the post-Covid environment will be very different from now.
Lt Gen (r) Haroon Aslam said that the world has faced a surge of unexpected consequences due to the outbreak of coronavirus that is causing major economic disruption with severe impacts, various techniques to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and kick start the economy is indispensable.
Mian Idrees demanded that since no country can survive in isolation, the government should study the facilities the other countries have provided and hold dialogue with them.
Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig stressed that the first and foremost thing to change is the mindset and adopt an inclusive approach.
