R) ICAP KSA President Amin Qureshi, Majlis Shoura member & NCB Economist Dr. Said Al Shaikh, Pakistan Ambassador to KSA Muhammad Naeem Khan, Secretary General of SOCPA Dr. Ahmad Almeghames & President of ICAP RIYADH — The First Pak-Saudi Accountancy Seminar was held at the Marriott Hotel here on Feb. 1 with over 175 members of the accounting industry and a large number of Saudi finance professionals in attendance. The seminar was organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) KSA chapter, which operates under the patronage of the Embassy of Pakistan in the Kingdom, with support from the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA). Speakers at the seminar included His Excellency Muhammad Naeem Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia; Dr. Ahmad Almeghames, Secretary General of SOCPA; Mr. Rashid Rahman Mir, President of ICAP; and Dr. Said Al Shaikh, a Shoura Council member and Chief Economist at National Commercial Bank. Amin Qureshi, President of ICAP KSA chapter, in his opening remarks outlined the organization's achievements and guaranteed greater events to follow. He announced that with the support of SOCPA and the Embassy, ICAP plans to hold professional-level exams in Riyadh starting June 2012. Ambassador Khan congratulated the chartered accountants in the capital for creating an official platform for their community and promised continued support. He underlined the commonality of culture, trade and religion between Pakistan and the Kingdom, and urged the community to promote greater interaction. Dr. Almeghames highlighted the close cooperation between SOCPA and ICAP, and expressed hope that it will yield mutual benefits in time, especially after the signing of a memorandum of understanding last year. He also lauded ICAP KSA's efforts and expressed his support for its professional activities. Dr. Al Shaikh delivered a thought-provoking keynote speech on the seminar's theme, “Global Financial Outlook – Challenges and Opportunities.” An interactive Q&A session followed the well-received speech. ICAP President Rahman Mir and Hafiz Yousuf, Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, were extremely proud of the landmark event and hoped it will become a regular feature. Leading Big 4 managing partners from the Middle East deliberated on the global financial outlook. The consensus was that while there are concerns about Europe and the euro, the opportunities far outweigh the downward sentiments. A lavish dinner, mementoes to ICAP's senior members and prize draws were the other highlights of the evening.
