The GFDI Podcast

CEOs, ministers, and business leaders

Featured interviews

Zia Ijaz, President and CEO, Askari Bank

In this interview, President and CEO of Askari Bank, Zia Ijaz, explores how institutional reform, balance sheet strength, and regulatory alignment are positioning the bank as a platform for long-term investment connectivity between Pakistan and the UAE.

Karim Teli, CEO, IGLOO Pakistan

IGLOO Pakistan CEO, Karim Teli, describes how the company has transformed beyond its original identity, evolving from a local love brand into an integrated food and FMCG platform.

Ahsan M. Saleem, CEO and Managing Director, Crescent Steel and Allied Products Limited

Ahsan M. Saleem, CEO and Managing Director of Crescent Steel, discusses how the company competes on global standards, and why Pakistan’s investment case is shaped by a rare mix of market size and outsized returns.

Anwar Moin, CEO, Biafo Industries

In this exclusive interview, CEO of Biafo Industries Anwar Moin explains the company’s role in Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure economy, its growing relevance to the mining sector and how regulatory reform and Gulf partnerships are shaping investor opportunity.

Mohammed Zaki Bashir, CEO, Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited

In this interview with Mohammed Zaki Bashir, the CEO of Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited discusses the company’s market leadership, international expansion and its central role in driving long-term competitiveness in Pakistan.

Bastien Blanc, CEO, Hospitality Division Hashoo Group

In this interview, CEO Bastien Blanc discusses how the group is pushing asset-light expansion, global partnerships and new markets across the GCC.

Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Director and CEO, OGDC

In this interview with Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Director and CEO of Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDC), he outlines OGDC’s leadership role in Pakistan’s energy security, its diversification roadmap and opportunities for global investors.

Mikheil Khidureli, CEO, Enterprise Georgia

Mikheil Khidureli, CEO of Enterprise Georgia, discusses how the institution has grown into the country’s principal agency for investment, export and business development, strengthening Georgia’s position as a competitive destination for foreign investors.

Akaki Saghirashvili, First Deputy Director, Business Association of Georgia

Akaki Saghirashvili, First Deputy Director of Business Association of Georgia (BAG), reveals how the institution continues to strengthen the bridge between enterprise and government, and between Georgia and the wider world.

Avtandil Kasradze, Chairman, GITA

Avtandil Kasradze discusses GITA's role in transforming Georgia's innovation ecosystem, from building the country's first tech parks to connecting startups with global investors, and shaping policies that embed innovation across all sectors of the economy.

Archil Gachechiladze, CEO, Bank of Georgia

Bank of Georgia’s CEO outlines the bank’s evolution over the past 15 years, highlighting its sustained focus on customer experience, market visibility and regional growth.

Besik Bugianishvili, Chairman & CEO, Development Fund of Georgia

In this interview, Besik Bugianishvili talks about how the Development Fund of Georgia has undergone major restructuring, improved governance and expanded cooperation with domestic and international financial partners.

Listen to all episodes here