PAKISTAN BANKING AWARDS 2017 LAUNCHING CEREMONY
Ladies and Gentlemen - Assalm o Alaykum.
After the tremendous success of the 1st Banking Awards in 2016, I am delighted to address
this distinguished gathering of executives and academicians from the banking and finance
sector at the Launching Ceremony of the 2nd Pakistan Banking Awards 2017.
As you are well aware, the financial sector plays a pivotal role in determining the overall
economic growth and development of a country. The contribution and achievements of the
institutions contributing to this sector should be recognized and acknowledged.
The initiative of launching the first ever Banking Awards by The Institute of Bankers Pakistan
with Dawn Media Group in collaboration with A.F. Ferguson & Co in 2016, is indeed a
landmark in the history of banking in Pakistan.
I am delighted that these prestigious awards are now an annual affair and encourage new
entrants to make their mark while motivating the established institutions to strive for
excellence.
These awards honor and promote the efforts of banks for developing new and innovative
products and services, while giving them the incentive to enhance their performance for the
coming year. They encourage the active participation of banks by setting the benchmark and
allowing them to gauge their standing within the industry. Most importantly, they inculcate
a spirit of healthy competition as the awards are a great source of pride for the winning
institutions.
The distinguished members of the jury selected are indeed institutions in themselves and
are worthy to do the needful. I am confident that like in the past, this year again complete
transparency and secrecy will be maintained and all nominations would be made exclusively
on merit. This is the essence of building credibility of these awards.
It is a matter of satisfaction from the view point of regulator as well that the performance
and contribution of banks are being recognized by an independent body in a transparent
manner.
On behalf of the State Bank of Pakistan and the organizers, I urge you all to participate and
make this magnanimous event a success. I wish you all the very best.