KARACHI: Ateeq-ur-Rehman, an economic and financial analyst, said that during Covid-19 the world trade fell by up to 36% while Pakistan's economy also had a double-digit fall.

Speaking at the 19th annual shipping, logistics and supply chain conference and expo, he said that the biggest challenge for the country was unemployment.

He said that the new shipping policy announced by the Federal Ministry for Maritime Affairs was an excellent step towards promoting the private shipping industry.

Siraj Uddin Aziz, CEO of the Group Financial Institutions, Habib Bank AG Zurich, emphasized on long-term policies to be made for ease of doing business and bringing investments to port and shipping, logistics and supply chain sector.

Aziz said that the perishable cargo business for China, Taiwan and other South Asian countries would rise in the coming days.

Mehmood Tareen, CEO of the Professionals Network, said that the Professionals Network had taken an initiative in 2011 to bring all the major stakeholders of port and shipping, logistics and supply chain management to a platform.

"Since then we are organizing the conference annually, and every year we are getting an enormous and overwhelming response from the industry and the corporate sector," he said.

Experts in ports and shipping, logistics and supply chain management industry shared their valuable knowledge and experiences with the audience.

Shahab Ahmed Khan (Sea Gold Limited) discussed various aspects of handling of containers.

Saiyed Shahzad Sultan (China Overseas Ports Holding Company Pakistan Pvt Ltd) explained the role and importance of the Gwadar Port and free zones in sustainable development of CPEC.

Khurram Aziz Khan (Pakistan International Container Terminal) enumerated problems faced by the terminal operators.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020