EconFest Lahore

Saturday & Sunday 11th & 12th March 2023 Alhamra Art Center, The Mall

Download: EconFest Lahore 2023 Invite

Coming out of BOOM & BUST Cycle I EconFest by PIDE, RASTA & PSDE

Pakistan Economy: Coming out of the BOOM & BUST Cycle

Pakistan's first ever #EconFest by PIDE, RASTA & PSDE I March 11, 12 at Alhamra Lahore

The dream of having a thought network in Pakistan! #EconFest by PIDE, RASTA & PSDE

EconFest Learn & debate your economy!

Everyone in Pakistan is worried about the economy. Whether it’s a social gathering, a friends’ meet up or a TV talk show, conversation drifts towards the economy. We all know that the economic crisis in Pakistan is a tale as old as its emergence in the league of nations. The country that was once considered to become the next Asian Tiger is now struggling to keep its head above water.

The program of events will encompass a diverse range of activities, including stimulating talks by renowned experts, interactive panel discussions, open mic sessions for participants to voice their opinions, book/report launches and screenings of documentaries that delve into various facets of the economy.

A variety of topics will be covered in the EconFest such as cities, investment, exports, population, real estate, energy, economic governance, taxation, foreign aid, health and education, technology, youth, employability and so on.

Every successive government promises to make amends in ways that would make the economy grow and improve the living standard of common people, but challenges remain at large.

Realising the need of time, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) – in collaboration with the Research for Social Transformation & Advancement (RASTA) programme and the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE) – is holding the first-ever Economy Festival (EconFest) on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th of March 2023 at the Alhamra Art Centre, Lahore. The twoday event will offer opportunities to learn and debate some real issues of our economy in 34 thought-provoking sessions featuring more than 100 distinguished speakers.

EconFest represents a collaborative effort to bring together eminent economists, accomplished public policy specialists, seasoned practitioners and professionals, esteemed academicians, and leading business, political, and thought leaders on a platform to share their views pertaining to the economic challenges facing Pakistan at national and sub-national levels.

The purpose of this gathering is to facilitate the exchange of diverse perspectives on current economic dilemmas afflicting the nation. The idea, acting as a bedrock for this event is that “change begins with a conversation”. This EconFest aims to kick-start a wide-spread conversation on the most pressing economic issues Pakistan is confronting today.