Interview of Hassan Maqsood, CEO Blink Capital Management (BCM) and Cafe Forex discusses the new world of online trading
Tahir Amin Malik
This is not just a tagline of our company BCM, but a whole new concept of this modern world with changing trends. Trading is one of the oldest activities in the history of mankind evolved during the era when the economy was based on barter system. Technology has converted the world into a global village in real terms introducing the concept of “Online Trading”. Hassan Maqsood, CEO ،Blink Capital Management (BCM) expressed these views in an interview. He graciously graced a request moved by ‘Daily The Spokesman’ for an exclusive interview. Some of extracts of the interview are given here for interest of our worthy readers.
Please share with us your education career and your career as a CEO Blink Capital Management how did you found of to come in this field?
Hassan Maqsood :I have done Masters in International Economics with specialization in Islamic Finance vs. global Market Economy from GC University Lahore. Later on, I have done Masters in Business Administration in Marketing from Institute of Business & Management UET Lahore. Furthermore, I have done certification in Commodity Trading and Market Regulation of derivatives from Institute of Financial Markets of Pakistan (IFMP). As I have always been curious about practical demonstration of Econometrics subject in real market so, I came to know that Online Trading is the only field where I can adjust perfectly. I sent a lot of CVs to different financial companies and brokerage houses but got rejected from almost every company due to lack of practical knowledge. Even one company did not accept me as according to them I was over qualified for that specific post. Then I got a call from Blink Capital Management (BCM) for interview and got selected over a very nominal salary. This was the start of my career with BCM which became a life changing event of my life and after a struggle of 7 to 8 years and countless blessings of Allah Almighty I became share holder director and CEO of BCM.
Please share the details of your company Blink Capital Management and the services you offer to the Clients?
Hassan Maqsood :Blink Capital Management (Private) Limited “BCM” is corporate member of Pakistan Mercantile Exchange. It is a professional organization fully equipped with Portfolio Management, Investment Consultancy, Trading & Market Research expertise providing international standards of Wealth Management, Alternate Investment Plans, Brokerage, Risk Management Services to Individuals, Firms, Corporate Entities and Financial Institutions.
You are really genuine example in the Capital Investment field How will you motivate the new investors who want to come in this field?
Hassan Maqsood :The world is changing very fast and specially after the pandemic of Covid 19 we have entered a new era of technology and business. We have witnessed a huge bull run in the share value of those sectors and companies which were operating online model of business. In the mean while physical businesses got a huge negative impact during the recent crises. Now we have to understand the importance of new forms of information technology in businesses and trading so capital investment in these sectors will be so profitable rather than the orthodox methods of investment like real estate, banking, manufacturing, construction and physical trading. The whole world is facing the post corona highest inflation growth right now so we should adopt the more profitable avenues to counter this situation.
How the trading skills can be utilized in investment field please share with us?
Hassan Maqsood :Trading skills are basically the sets of strategies which can be learnt very easily now a days and used in trading to maximize the profits with little improvisation. For Example, some of the very basic strategies are averaging and hedging. If someone wants to invest in trading, he/she should learn at least these basic strategies then it would become a great source of profitability for them in this field.
You are also the trainer how many University/Colleges you have given the awareness programs and what’s the the response?
Hassan Maqsood : We have almost covered 50 plus universities/colleges and institutes within Pakistan so far as our future generation needs to focus more on the changing scenario of business world. I do travel a lot to the foreign universities and colleges and I have witnessed that those people are so ahead of us in training their students about new technological changes in financial & trading markets. That’s ‘s why I give more emphasis on our local educational institutes that they should adopt new methods of study including more relevant subjects which will be beneficial for students in their upcoming practical lives. Alhamdulilah, we have got a very positive response from the institutions and their students and recently my own alma mater the most prestigious institution GC University Lahore has added a short-term course of Online Trading along with the regular courses offered at the university. I think this was a mile stone achievement in my cause.
You have honour to participate as a Judge in Entrepreneurship Word Cup, 2022, Where was this event held, please us with detail.
Hassan Maqsood :Yes, it was really an honour for me that I have been appointed as judge for the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2022 for the Semifinal of Pakistanis chapter of innovative business ideas. Its final was held at Australia. More than 20 countries have participated in the championship, we got 40 new business ideas applications from Pakistan only from which I have filtered out 6 best business innovative ideas and sent to the final round. Alhamdulillah among these one of the contestants from Pakistan has been selected in top 5 ideas of this championship.
Do you think that BCM is fruitful platform for short format Investors?
Hassan Maqsood : BCM is the one big umbrella for all kinds of investment formats having all the best solutions to cater the needs of investors under one roof so every investor either short term and long term can get benefits from our training.
What kind of Investment required to start the business in BCM and how many sectors where the investors can do the invest please tell us with detail?
Hassan Maqsood :We have 5 different sectors with number of items for trading and investments;
Metals (Gold, Silver, Copper, Platinum, Palladium)
Energy (Crude Oil, Brent Oil, Natural Gas)
Forex (Euro, Pound, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Japanese Yen etc.)
Indices (Dow Jones 100, NASDAQ 500, S&P 500, Nikki 225)
Agriculture (Rice, Wheat, Cotton, Corn, Red Chilly etc.)
A minimum account can be opened with only PKR 25000/- but we always recommend to open it with good equity at least PKR 500000/- if someone wants to earn good profits.
How many countries you have visited for participation Conferences/Seminar or as a Trainer?
Hassan Maqsood :I have almost visited 10 countries to attend the sessions and seminars regarding trading as a participant and as a trainer too. We are currently working with different Trading and Financial Companies of 7 countries for the research exchange collaboration program like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey etc. We are going to expand our existence to Europe, UK and USA very soon InshaAllah.
BCM has honour to become representative one of the best Exchange of world Singapore group of Exchange please also tell us about this?
Hassan Maqsood :As we all know Singapore is one of those countries who has changed its economy from developing to developed in a very short span of time just with the help of financial institutions. Singapore has no any competitive edge in agriculture, industry or natural resources as it is a very small piece of land with limited resources but it has utilized the strength of its financial institutions to attract the investors from all over the world just by providing them safe and secure investment models. That is the main reason it has one of the most powerful currencies in the World. There is a proper financial district which has all the big trading houses and financial companies like JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Interactive, CMC, Bloomberg etc.). it is need of the hour that we should learn from the best and successful business model and Singapore Group of Exchange is one of those so I think it is an honour for BCM to be a humble representative of their work in Pakistan as well.
Research is difficult work how can someone work in research?
Hassan Maqsood :Every work is difficult when you do it first time but with the passage of time and practicing again and again can make anyone a master of it. If you want perfection in your work then you need to practice it multiple times. Research can never be taught as it is like an on-road experience. For Example, we can teach someone the basic driving methods and techniques but only practice of driving on road daily can make him/her a good driver. Same like that this market has new fundamentals on daily basis so a researcher gains new experience on daily basis. If a researcher is smart enough, he/she can easily improvise the situation and come up with best solution every time.
Tell us about basic things which are needed by the Investors who want to open the account?
Hassan Maqsood :Investors should always check the proper documentation and licenses of the company before opening an account with any company. If all the documents and licenses are properly legitimate and regulated by the regulators with renewal dates. Investors can easily verify this information from the PMEX or SECP. Then investors need a proper CNIC/NICOP along with the copy of Next of Kin’s CNIC, an active account in any local bank of Pakistan. Furthermore, the investor must have a duly registered mobile phone number on his/her own name or close blood relations, an email id and proof of income certificate to open the account with Pakistan Mercantile Exchange through BCM.
Which sector is the most famous sector and what is your suggestion in which sector the investors should start the investment?
Hassan Maqsood :All Sectors are equally famous and have great potential for earning but it all depends on season, fundamentals and technical of the certain commodity for a heavy fluctuation which may cause for a good return. The fluctuations of market depend upon the change in demand and supply in the world.
What is the role of Pakistan Mercantile Exchange to conduct the awareness session/program with BCM?
Hassan Maqsood :BCM and PMEX both are joining hands in collaboration of awareness sessions and training programs in different institutions from city to city throughout the country. We are running very useful campaigns within colleges/universities and corporate sector to get the potential prospects in the trading world. We are hopeful that one day our National Commodity Exchange will be in the top list exchanges of the world.
What is your point of view about the fundamental skills and abilities that go into making successful businessman and investors?
The fundamental skill in any investor and businessman should be the calculative risk taking. Most of the people spend their lifetime in a nutshell due to the fear of losing that is why they don’t become successful in their lives. I love my sector because it teaches us how to take calculative risk and then implement it accordingly. The second most important ability is to have patience because whenever you take a risk with proper calculation and management then you should have patience too to get the best results. No business strategy or investment can be successful in a short span of time, a proper time is always needed to verify the outcomes of your risk.
Any message for the new investors who want to come in trading field?
Hassan Maqsood :My message has always been very loud and clear to the new entrants of the trading market that always take this market as a business not as gambling. As we all know this market has the potential to grow 100% of your capital invested in one fundamental overnight but definitely it comes up with a huge risk. For Example, if a car has the capacity to speed up to 240 km per hour but you have to follow the maximum speed limit mostly up to 120km to 140km so, if you increase the speed it may give to thrill but it also can kill. Same principle is followed in the trading world higher the risk, higher the profit but you have to control your emotions and greed. Always do trade with proper Take Profit and Stop Loss formulas. I can assure you if you will follow the golden rules of safe trading, you will earn your lifetime. For any query regarding Trading or Research you can visit us on our official Website of Company www.blink.com.pk
