Photo credits: London Stock Exchange
London: Citibank N.A. sponsored the 4th Annual Pakistan Capital Markets Day at the London Stock Exchange. The event featured participation from 14 of Pakistan’s leading companies, as well as London-based and international investors. The Pakistani companies that attended the event included: Allied Bank, Bank Alfalah, Bestway, Fatima Fertiliser, Fauji Fertiliser, Hub Power Company, K-Electric, Maple Leaf, National Bank of Pakistan, Oil & Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Telecom, Pakistan International Bulk, Saif Power and United Bank of Pakistan.
To mark the occasion, Mohammad Zubair, Minister of State for Privatization and His Excellency Syed Ibne Abbas, High Commissioner for Pakistan to the United Kingdom took part in a Market Opening Ceremony together with London Stock Exchange Group’s Head of International Business Development, Nikhil Rathi and Nadeem Lodhi, CCO & MD Citibank N.A., Pakistan.
Speaking at the event, Mohammad Zubair, Minister of State for Privatization said:
"Pakistan Capital Markets Day 2015 at London Stock Exchange is an important event where we can apprise potential investors of the business and investment potential of Pakistan. The Pakistani capital market is among the most productive and profitable in the world having ranked among the top 10 stock markets in the world for the last three years.
Citi’s acclaimed Planet Game kicked off on the second day with an intensive introduction to Money Markets, Foreign Exchange (“FX”), FX Options, Interest Rate and Commodity Derivatives, which utilizes a digital simulation allowing trainees to act as the financial heads on the trading floor of a hypothetical organization. The aim of the Planet Game is to provide training to local treasury, finance and investment officers from corporate and government entities in Pakistan in an interactive, competitive environment.
Manish Bhatia, Citi’s Regional Head of FX Sales for Middle East & Pakistan alongside Pakistan Corporate Sales and Derivatives Marketing (“CSDM”) Head, Tariq Ahmed Khan and Senior CSDM Trader, Sarah Siddiqui, began the day with an informative overview, covering main money market and foreign exchange topics, including the structure of rates, FX swaps and interbank dealing. The trainees were split into teams of four, with representatives from various corporations on each team and spent the day making decisions on hedging and options to exercise, to earn the highest revenue for their assigned company.
KSE 100 Index companies have shown nearly 20% p.a. growth in profits successively in the last 5 years and return on equity of about 20% during this period. This makes the listed corporate sector in Pakistan amongst the top performing in Asia. Also, this is a sure manifestation of investors' confidence in our government’s economic reform agenda. I invite investors to avail themselves of the investment opportunities on offer in Pakistan."
Nadeem Lodhi, CCO & MD Citibank N.A., Pakistan said:
"Supporting initiatives such as the Pakistan Capital Markets Day at London Stock Exchange are part of our ongoing efforts to drive the country’s growth. Our role, as a market leader in the country is to work with companies that have appetite for growth and provide them with a platform to showcase their potential to a focused audience of global investors. This event offers us an opportunity to reflect on the potential of the country."
Nikhil Rathi, Head of International Business Development, London Stock Exchange Group said:
"This event plays host to leading Pakistani companies which are helping to support and drive growth in the country’s economy. Since 2006, we have seen listings in excess of £10bn from Pakistan, underlining exceptional London investor interest in building exposure to the country’s fast-growing economy. Today’s event gives us the opportunity to reflect on the strong partnership between our two markets and to explore how we can further strengthen our collaboration."
Citi has been the leader in Pakistan in terms of introducing new ideas to the local market. The Bank remains at the forefront of taking clients in Pakistan to the international capital markets and introducing new products from other geographies by adapting them to local needs.
There are five Pakistani companies listed on London Stock Exchange across the Main Market and AIM, with a combined market capitalization of £10.5bn. In addition to equity fundraising, London Stock Exchange is also one of the world’s leading Sukuk venues, bringing together international Islamic finance issuers and investors.
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