July 01, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 15, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 30: Federal Minister for Privatisation and Investment Zahid Hamid will open the London markets on July 6 as a prelude to the inaugural of Pakistan Capital Markets Day at the London Stock Exchange.

An official announcement issued here on Saturday said Mr Hamid will open the proceedings with a keynote address on Pakistan’s economic reforms and privatisation overview.

The Capitals Markets Day initiative is a direct follow-up point from the Lord Mayor of London’s official visit to Pakistan in February.

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is working in conjunction with the Central Depository Company of Pakistan, the co-host for the event, and has the support of Pakistan’s High Commission in London.

The Exchange event is further supported by the UK Government (Department for Trade and Investment), as well as the Lord Mayor’s office.

It is designed to showcase Pakistan’s companies and capital markets to international investors and bring together Pakistani companies considering international equity transactions and institutional investors in London focused on emerging markets.

The neutral venue of the Exchange will provide an opportunity for discussions, presentations and formal meeting over the course of one day.

The event is aimed at increasing the profile of Pakistani companies in the international markets. Both the private and public sectors of Pakistan have confirmed their attendance.

It is expected that representatives of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Allied Bank Limited, D.G. Khan Cement, Askari Commercial Bank, Habib Bank Limited, MCB Bank, United Bank Limited, Engro Chemicals, TRG Pakistan, Kapco, National Bank of Pakistan and Bank of Punjab will participate. Fund managers of the largest emerging market funds and asset management institutions operating in London will represent the institutional investors.