The Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan (ACEP) and the Constructors Association of Pakistan (CAP) hosted a Business Opportunities Seminar on June 3rd, 2024, at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. The event, aimed at exploring and discussing various business opportunities within the construction and consulting engineering sectors.
The seminar began with registration at 9:00 AM, followed by a recitation of the Holy Quran at 9:30 AM. The Chairman of CAP then delivered the welcome address. The morning sessions included discussions on industry issues and challenges faced by constructors and consultants, presented by the Chief Advisor of CAP and the President of ACEP, respectively. A review of Pakistan's infrastructure implementation capacity assessment was conducted by the Convener, followed by a discussion on the role of the construction sector in the country's economy led by the Economic Affairs Division.
The seminar continued with an overview of World Bank-funded projects and business opportunities in Pakistan, presented by Mr. Shafiq Hussain, a Procurement Specialist at the World Bank. This was followed by a detailed presentation on World Bank procurement procedures by Mr. Ayalew Kebede Belew, Senior Procurement Specialist at the World Bank. After a group photo and a tea break, Bisma Husen and Mohsen Islam Khan from the Asian Development Bank discussed the procurement of projects funded by their organization. The morning session concluded with lunch at 1:00 PM.
In the afternoon, Mr. Gul Ahmad Kamali, Global Lead Procurement Officer at the Islamic Development Bank, spoke about the procurement process of consulting services, goods, and civil works. The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) then addressed the relationship between the council and the construction industry. Following a tea break, the seminar concluded with a panel discussion, allowing participants to engage in a comprehensive dialogue about the topics covered throughout the day.