APBF, CGSS To Conduct Sector-specific Studies

All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) and The Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evolve a unified strategy on the issues of common interests especially research and development to achieve high economic growth

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jan, 2019 ) :All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) and The Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evolve a unified strategy on the issues of common interests especially research and development to achieve high economic growth.

APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood and CGSS President Maj Gen (R) Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery inked the memorandum on behalf of their respective organizations at a ceremony held at a local hotel. Whereas Founder & Former Chairman APBF Haroon Khawaja and Chairman APBF Ibrahim Qureshi witnessed the ceremony. The ceremony was also attended by Executive Committee of the APBF and the high powered 20-member delegation of CGSS Advisory board and senior office-bearers.

On this occasion, CGSS President Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery said the MoU was a significant step in bringing the institutions, academia, trade and industry together, as the economic challenges being faced by the country needed tailor-made and workable solutions. This was only possible through the strong research and industry linkage, he added.

Jaffery observed that both institutions would collaborate and undertake projects to help the industry compete with current challenges and hold workshops, conferences, symposia and seminars for mutual benefits. He mentioned that CGSS was a non-profit Institution with mission to help improve policy and decision-making through analysis and research. Its empirical research and analysis had been assisting the government, organizations and communities, he said and asserted that research of CGSS focused on all subjects of relevance, such as counter terrorism, politics, energy, education, health, justice, environment, and national/international security affairs with a special emphasis on the growing collaboration of Pakistan in respect with international powers.

While, Haroon Khawaja said that agreement would enable APBF members to get into network with other businesses worldwide and enhance the share of business in global village. He observed that MoU was aimed at capacity-building programmes through training and empowerment by mutual collaboration between the business community and think-tanks. He said the APBF would collaborate for the development of joint research activities and enhancement of capacity building.

APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood said that both the bodies had also decided to form a co-ordination committee to work together in future. He added that APBF sought a strong and prosperous Pakistan with sustained growth ensured through effective and continued policies resulting in better quality of life for its citizens.

According to the MoU, both the bodies would cooperate in preparation of proposals for economic uplift of the country and would conduct joint research studies to develop industries across the country.

APBF Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi said that both the associations would forward joint proposals to the Federal government for the budgets in future. He said, efforts would also be made for attracting investment for reconstruction opportunities zones, adding that harmony between the two leading bodies would help solve the problems being faced by the business community in the country.