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SAFA CONFERENCE 2016 SOUTH ASIA: CORRIDOR OF OPPORTUNITIES SAFA Conference 2016 www.icap.org.pk ICAP SAFA Conference Lahore January 29-30, 2016 T he Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) organised a two day South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) Conference on January 29 and 30, 2016 at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore. The theme of the conference was South Asia: Corridor of Opportunities. The Conference was largely attended by the members, students, dignitaries and professionals from the accounting and business fraternity. The inaugural ceremony of the SAFA Conference was held on January 29, 2016. The ceremony was graced by the governor Punjab, Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana who was the chief guest and Ahsan Iqbal, minister for Planning Development and Reform, who was the keynote speaker. More than 550 members, diplomats, dignitaries, representatives of the SAFA countries and the media had assembled to witness the Inaugural Ceremony of the SAFA Conference 2016. In the plenary session Hafiz Mohammad Yousaf, president ICAP highlighted the journey of the Institute since inception and shared the vision for the profession in the region. The president also highlighted current happenings in terms of economic development both in Pakistan and around its surrounding regions. He quoted an article extract from the Financial Times London of October 21, 2010 titled: Pakistan, the State that has refused to fail. The article highlighted various natural and unnatural turmoil and catastrophes being faced by Pakistan and the resilience of the nation to fight back and survive. Hafiz Mohammad Yousaf concluded that time has proved that our great nation is fully determined to survive and moving towards the journey of success and sustainability. The chief guest of the evening was governor Punjab, Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana. He appreciated the services of the Institute towards the nation and said that the present government was heading in the right direction towards progress and prosperity. The governor also emphasised the government’s success in overcoming the energy crisis, maintaining peace in the country especially the port city of Karachi, and elimination terrorism through Zarb-e-Azb operation which is another hallmark of the government and the Pakistan Armed Force. He stressed the need for restoration of peace in the region. The session included keynote address by federal minister for Planning Development and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal. The federal minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the need for improving relations among all South Asian states to attain regional integration. He elaborated that just like European Union (EU) and ASEAN, South Asian countries would have to get united and improve their mutual cooperation and trust for 2 3