OREANDA-NEWS. May 24, 2016. Renaissance Capital, a leading emerging and frontier markets investment bank, opened its first Pakistan Investment Conference today in London in order to facilitate discussion and encourage investment in the country.

Mohammad Zubair, Pakistan’s Minister of State, Privatisation Commission Chairman, and Nadeem Naqvi, Managing Director of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, gave opening speeches. The conference was attended by His Excellency Mr. Syed Ibne Abbas, High Commissioner for Pakistan to the UK.

The two-day event brings together European and US investors and corporate representatives from a wide range of sectors in Pakistan, including financial services, industrials, natural resources, energy, pharmaceuticals and telecoms.

Ahmed Badr, Head of MENA Equities and Dubai CEO, Renaissance Capital, commented: “Pakistan has been pursuing an impressive pro-business reform agenda and as a result we expect the country to enter the MSCI Emerging Markets Index in the near future. We remain positive on Pakistan and believe that the country will attract GEM investors if it proceeds with its structural reforms.”

“Therefore, now is the right time to promote dialogue, building on the recovery in economic growth and increase in interest from international investors. I would like to thank all parties involved in the staging of this event, which would not have been possible without them.”

Charles Robertson, Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital, added: “The big picture looks good for Pakistan. Growth is picking up and the security situation has continued to improve significantly. Domestic demand is on the rise, helped by the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with its multi-billion investment plan. In our view, the country has plenty of scope to increase its rate of growth and deliver good returns for investors.”

The event was organised by Renaissance Capital in association with the Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Stock Exchange, Privatisation Commission, Ministry of Finance and JS Global Capital Limited.