MoU Signing Ceremony between CGSS and All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) at Lahore, Pakistan

On 15th January 2019 CGSS and All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) 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.
The signing ceremony was held at Hospitality Inn Hotel, Lahore where Syed Maaz Mahmood – President APBF and Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd) – President CGSS inked the memorandum on behalf of their respective organizations. 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.
Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd) – President CGSS in his speech, said the MoU was a significant step in bringing the institutions, academia, trade and industry together and that the economic challenges being faced by the country needed tailor-made and workable solutions. This is only possible through the strong research and industry linkage, he added. He said that there is no dearth of resources in Pakistan but it is far behind in the economic race because we have failed to properly tap these resources. He observed that both institutions will collaborate and undertake projects to help the industry compete with the current challenges and hold workshops, conferences, symposia and seminars for mutual benefits.
Founder & Former Chairman APBF Haroon Khawaja, while addressing the ceremony, said this agreement will offer our members the ability to network with other businesses worldwide and enhance the share of business in global village. Haroon Khawaja observed that the 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 will collaborate for the development of joint research activities and enhancement of capacity building.
APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood, in his address, added that both the bodies have also decided to form a co-ordination committee to work together in future. Syed Maaz Mahmood said that the APBF seeks 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, on this occasion, said that both the associations would forward joint proposals to the federal government for the budgets in future. He said that efforts would also be made for attracting investment for reconstruction opportunities zones. He said that harmony between the two leading bodies would help solve the problems being faced by the business community in the country.