The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved a Scheme of Arrangement for the merger of the Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) with the National Institute of Banking and Finance Pakistan (NIBAF).
The Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) is a public unlisted company operating as a not-for-profit association, providing banking-related educational services in Pakistan. Similarly, the National Institute of Banking and Finance Pakistan (NIBAF) is a not-for-profit public unlisted company dedicated to promoting banking education and supporting the banking profession in Pakistan.
During the Phase-I competition assessment, the CCP identified ‘Testing & Recruitment Service’ and ‘Training Service – Banking and Finance’ as the relevant product markets. The assessment revealed that post-merger, all assets and liabilities of IBP will be transferred to NIBAF. Since IBP operates as a not-for-profit entity, no financial consideration will be involved in the transfer. Consequently, IBP will cease to exist, leaving NIBAF as the sole surviving entity in the relevant market.
The assessment further confirmed that the merger will not lead to any substantial lessening of competition, nor will it create or strengthen a dominant position in the relevant market.
This merger represents a strategic consolidation aimed at enhancing banking educational facilities and creating a seamless pathway from education to employment for banking professionals.
