‘CEO Forum’ to play pivotal role for economic diplomacy, diversification of market: Salik

Monitoring Desk

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Wednesday said that ‘CEO Forum’ can play pivotal role for economic diplomacy and diversification of markets.
“I want to thank CEO Club Pakistan, Founder President for bringing together such a diverse and dynamic gathering of business leaders, diplomats, and policymakers at this Pre-CEO Summit Dinner. These are the kinds of platforms where important conversations begin — and where long-term partnerships are built.”
The theme for this evening, “Turn the Tide,” speaks to something all of us have felt over the last few years the growing need to shift course, to respond to new realities, and to create better outcomes for our people and our institutions.”
“I would also like to take a moment to appreciate the upcoming launch of the “100 CEOs and Diplomats of Pakistan” that Mr. Ijaz Nisar and his team is organizing, the Minister said.
It’s a timely and important effort to recognize individuals who are quietly but powerfully shaping Pakistan’s image, both here and abroad, he said.
Salik said that these stories matter because they inspire others, and they remind us that change is possible when good people come together with clear intent.
As Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, I see this every day in the aspirations of our people abroad, in the potential of our workforce at home, and in the pressing need to align both for the future, he said.
“We have over 9 million Pakistanis living and working across the world and they represent one of our greatest assets not just because of their remittances, but because of their skills, experience, and deep emotional connection to Pakistan.”
The Minister said that many of them want to give back, invest, and contribute but they need enabling systems, trust, and engagement from all of us sitting here.
He said that at the same time, “we must look inward and the world is changing, and our people especially our youth must be equipped for what’s next.
The skills development, vocational training, digital readiness, and industry linkages are no longer optional and they’re necessary and this requires not just government effort, but collaboration with the private sector, with CEOs like you and Brand Ambassador of countries who understand the real needs of industry and the global market.Pakistan cannot progress in isolation, he said.
He said that now country need to create value together through dialogue, through action, and through shared responsibility.
As a Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and HRD, we are committed to creating more opportunities, better systems, and stronger ties with our diaspora.
He said that “we can only go so far alone and need partners and leaders like many of you here tonight to step forward to guide, to mentor, and to invest where it matters most.
The Minister said that turning the tide doesn’t happen overnight and it requires patience, courage, and clarity, but “I believe we’re at a moment in time where this shift is not only possible it is necessary.

Federal Ministers, ambassadors and business leaders have portrayed the holding of the annual “CEO Forum’ organised by CEO Club Pakistan as important for economic diplomacy in Pakistan and trade dialogue with the world.
Under the visionary leadership of the founder, President and CEO Club, Ijaz Nisar, this forum is an significant for Pakistan’s business community dialogue with global business elite and reach to the potential markets, in which every year Pakistan’s top CEOs, ministers, government economic team, and ambassadors, diplomats and economic experts from various countries participated in forum, which played pivotal role in determining the country’s economic direction and policy guidelines, speakers said
They said this while addressing the ‘Pre- CEO Summit Corporate Dinner’ here along with Federal Minister for Overseas and Human Resources, Ch. Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Railway Hanif Abbasi, Ambassadors, President and Founder CEO Club Pakistan, Ijaz Nisar and President CEO Club Pakistan (Islamabad Chapter) Zahid Latif Khan, and Nazeya Qhan.
Meanwhile, addressing the forum, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that ‘CEO Forum’ can play a pivotal role for economic diplomacy and diversification of markets.
“I want to thank CEO Club Pakistan, Founder President, for bringing together such a diverse and dynamic gathering of business leaders, diplomats, and policymakers at this Pre-CEO Summit Dinner. These are the kinds of platforms where important conversations begin — and where long-term partnerships are built.”
The theme for this evening, “Turn the Tide,” speaks to something all of us have felt over the last few years: the growing need to shift course, to respond to new realities, and to create better outcomes for our people and our institutions.”
“I would also like to take a moment to appreciate the upcoming launch of the “100 CEOs and Diplomats of Pakistan” that Mr. Ijaz Nisar and his team are organizing,” the Minister said.
It’s a timely and important effort to recognise individuals who are quietly but powerfully shaping Pakistan’s image, both here and abroad, he said.
Salik said that these stories matter because they inspire others, and they remind us that change is possible when good people come together with clear intent.
Meanwhile addressing the forum, Founder President, CEOs Club, Ejaz Nisar said that under the auspices of the CEO Club, CEO Forums have been held in various countries of the world, including Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia and many other countries, and now it is a significant global forum that is playing a vital role in Pakistan’s global economic integration.
He said that Pakistan’s economy and trade must connect with the global supply chain, and regional and global economic integration is important for sustainable economic development in the country.
President CEO Club said that Pakistan has huge potential to achieve the one trillion economy target, which is not far if “We connect with potential global and regional markets through market and product diversification.
Meanwhile appreciating the efforts of President and Founder CEO Club Pakistan, Ijaz Nisar, Chargé D’Affaires (CDA) of the Indonesian embassy in Islamabad, Rahmat Hindiarta Kasuma, said that for this reason, why the Indonesian embassy has strong partnership with the CEO Club, beside becoming exclusive club for the great CEOs, this Club also emphasizes a lot on the importance of very positive image of Pakistan in the world.
Rehmat said that this CEO Club maintains optimistic spirits amid challenges and lets us strengthen our “Look East” Vision by further engagement with the Indonesian economy and the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economy.
According to the President, CEO Club, Ijaz Nisar, there is an opportunity in any crisis and difficulty, and our partnership has showcased huge success in the recent Trade Expo Indonesia in Jakarta and the first CEO Summit in Bali, he said.
Indonesia CDA said that for the first time in the history of “Trade Expo Indonesia,” Pakistan ranked 9th among the countries sending the biggest delegation, and it was also impactful for further economic cooperation.
Addressing the forum, President, CEO Club Pakistan (Islamabad Chapter) Zahid Latif Khan, said that Pakistan’s economy is reviving now and “We need the revival of market sentiment for sustainable economic development.”