An exclusive interview with the CEO & Managing Director of Siemens Pakistan
By: Khadija Khan, S. U. Baig
BMM: What goals you had envisioned for the establishment of your commercial set up, and to what extent you have succeeded in achieving those goals?
Ans: I didn't set up this business establishment. Mr. Werner Von Siemens established this on October 1, 1847 by the name of Siemens and Halske Telegraph Construction Company. Initially the company produced mechanical bell systems for railways, water meters, gutta-percha insulation of wires and electrical telegraphs and went on to become the largest electrical equipment firm in the world with a rang of products that cover every aspect of life. Siemens can easily claim that we serve mankind from the cradle to the grave, as the first visuals of a baby, can be seen on our ultrasound and even in the last moments of life, the chances are that, it will be Siemens technology that will diagnose your disease and maintain your quality of life for the remaining days of your life. And of course, during your life you will witness the trains, planes, drink clean water, all these having power and run industries. All these operate and run, by dint of technology provided by Siemens. In the words of the founder himself "from my young days it has always been my ambition to build an enterprise of world standing" As MD of Siemens Pakistan I follow that dream of Werner Von Siemens and my basic aim is to maintain the standards that have made Siemens such an enterprise of world standing.

BMM: What is you or your company's role in promoting the commerce and trade sector?
Ans: As you know, we have been winners of export trophy awards for a number of years and we are also between the top two slots of the top 25 companies at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE), which shows our contribution towards the trade and commerce sector. Siemens has the distinction of exporting engineering goods for the first time from Pakistan, which provided a solid base for exports. The quality reliability and timely delivery of our goods in competitive markets like Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka so on, has opened doors for exports for other sectors based on goodwill created by Siemens. Our operations in Pakistan have created several vendors whose technological knowledge has been enhanced owing to their association with us thus creating a pool of high tech vendors for the country.

BMM: Is government playing any significant role for the promotion of business, exclusively in the same sector, you are focusing?
Ans: Yes, there is a lot of discussion at energy resources and we offer a wide range of solutions. Siemens had presented the concept of mega cities and also had Karachi included in the twelve-mega cities of the world. We are fully equipped to provide one-window solutions for mega cities like transport, water, energy, industry and healthcare. With a democratic government committed to welfare of the people we see a big opportunity to serve the people of this country.

BMM: What are the roots causes of declining impression in the international markets, for the Pakistani products; can we ascribe it to adulteration, unoriginal products, low quality or quantity, and how these malpractices can be prevailed over?
Ans:  There are many factors and some of them have been mentioned by you but I think over the years our exporters have become very responsible and have gone to great lengths to satisfy foreign importers to the extent of even improving their labour standards and not using child labor etc. There is no general recession in the world and in a recent article it was mentioned that Singapore once a flourishing port now seems like a graveyard for containers full of stuff that is going nowhere.  We have to tighten our belts and be extra careful and extra quality conscious because competition that was once fierce has now become cut throat due to recession. If we cannot gain market share we must at all costs hold on to present market share.

BMM: Would you kindly pinpoint the hurdles and bottlenecks in the development of your sector?
Ans: Lack of funds is the biggest hurdle right now. Development projects like transport, water, healthcare etc require funding and this is not available right now owing to worldwide recession.

BMM: Whether Pakistan's economy is advancing ahead or retreating backside, if it is retreating, how it can be stopped, and what steps could be taken ahead?
Ans: For any economy to progress education, healthcare, infrastructure, justice and foreign policy of government are the key factors to move ahead. As soon as we have all five development indicators, the sky is the limit for this country.

BMM: Would you kindly shed the light on your future plans, in strengthening and advancing your business?
Ans: We have very ambitious plans but right now it is time to consolidate and hold on to your gains and that is what we are doing. All businesses across the world have to face and weather this economic Tsunami in the form of recession. It is time to dig our heels in and brace this storm.

BMM: What message would you like to communicate to the businessmen, educated people and professionals of our country?
Ans: My message is very clear. We all must work smart and with determination to enable Pakistan - realize it's full potential and reach to the stage of self reliance. We have a country full of natural resources, abundant agricultural wealth and above all a valuable pool of human resources who have always demonstrated their talents across the world. Let us build this country together. We have the material for it so let us use it for the sake of our future generations.