Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi Calls for Innovative Approaches to Economic Challenges
- Higher Education in Pakistan: Dr. Zaidi and Dr. Ali Cheema Highlight Key Issues
- Panel on Institutions, Laws, and Development Sparks Critical Dialogue
- Exploring Inflation, Growth, and Global Partnerships in Technical Sessions
- Participants from 11 Countries Engage in Thought-Provoking Discussions
- IBA-CBER’s Vision: Expanding Beyond Traditional Economic Thinking
Karachi – The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) proudly organized the 4th Annual International Conference on “Rethinking Economics”, a groundbreaking event in collaboration with IBA’s School of Economics and Social Sciences (IBA-SESS) and the Center for Business & Economic Research (IBA-CBER). This two-day conference brought together leading economists, academics, policymakers, and students to address the pressing economic challenges of our time with innovative and sustainable solutions.
Opening Remarks Set the Stage
Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, inaugurated the event with heartfelt gratitude to participants. In his remarks, Dr. Zaidi stressed the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and innovative thinking in tackling economic challenges. He encouraged students and academics alike to envision sustainable and inclusive solutions for a prosperous future.
Insights from the Asian Development Bank
Keynote speakers, Kiyoshi Taniguchi, Regional Lead Economist, and Marcel Schröder, Country Economist from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), shared insights from the Asian Development Outlook 2024. They forecasted a 5% growth for developing Asia and highlighted critical priorities under ADB’s Strategy 2030, including climate action, private sector growth, and digital transformation—all vital for Pakistan’s economic progress.
Showcasing Gender Equality and Research Excellence
Dr. Lubna Naz, Director of IBA-CBER, shared the vision behind the conference, emphasizing its focus on challenging traditional economic thinking. Out of a remarkable 300 submissions, 40 research papers were selected through a rigorous review process. Notably, 25% of the panelists and presenters were women, reflecting IBA’s commitment to gender equality in economic research. Participants from 11 countries and highly marginalized areas of Pakistan contributed to the dialogue, fostering diverse perspectives.
Digitalization in Trade and Economic Innovation
A key panel discussion on “Rethinking International Trade in a Digitalized World” explored the transformative role of digitalization in trade. The session addressed challenges such as weak digital infrastructure, cross-border interoperability, and governance gaps, while highlighting innovative initiatives like the Pakistan Single Window to modernize trade and boost export competitiveness.
Higher Education and Institutional Reforms
Dr. Zaidi and Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor of LUMS, delved into the challenges facing higher education in Pakistan, including issues of funding, talent retention, and quality assurance. They emphasized the role of economists as institutional leaders to drive reforms and nurture critical thinking and innovation in academia.
Day 2 Highlights: Institutions, Laws, and Development
The second day featured an engaging panel discussion on “Institutions, Laws, and Development”, with notable experts such as Adeel Malik (Oxford), Asad Khan (Ashtar Ali LLP), Sultan Mehmood (New Economic School), and Laila Farooq (IBA-SESS). The panel explored the role of laws and institutional development in Pakistan and beyond, underscoring their impact on building resilient societies.
The conference also included technical sessions on topics like inflation, growth, digitalization, and innovation, along with a roundtable on global academic partnerships involving foreign faculty and the HEC Sindh Chairman.
A Platform for Progress
The IBA International Conference on Rethinking Economics continues to serve as a platform for transformative ideas and interdisciplinary dialogue. By fostering collaboration and innovation, it aims to address the complex economic challenges of today and pave the way for a sustainable future.
About IBA Karachi:
IBA Karachi, with 70 years of Leadership, Excellence, and impact, has broadened its Academic Landscape by launching three unique schools: the School of Business Studies (SBS), the School of Economics & Social Sciences (SESS), and the School of Mathematics & Computer Science (SMCS). This strategic expansion demonstrates IBA’s commitment to advancing Leadership, Excellence, and impact across diverse fields.