Pak America Business Forum Delegation Trip to Pakistan; January, 2020
A delegation of Pak America Business Forum (PABF) consisting of Mr. Waqar Khan – Chairman, Riaz Hussein – President, Anwer Azam – General Secretary, and some other members visited Pakistan from January 6, 2020, till January 22, 2020. During this visit, the PABF delegation met with several Parliamentarians, Ministers, Senators, Ambassadors, and Business people from around the country. The main purpose of the trip was to discuss means and steps to boost bilateral trade between Pakistan and the USA and also to engage with various business people and government officials to prepare for a Trade Show in Dallas Texas USA to promote Pakistani Export Businesses. Following is a summary of activities the PABF delegation engaged in:
On January 07, 2020, PABF delegation had a very successful and productive meeting with the Commercial section staff of the American Embassy in Islamabad. The meeting was mostly how to assist Pakistani businesses to market and export their products and services to the USA and also providing logistical and other help to American investors and businesses to do business in Pakistan.
On January 08, 2020, PABF in collaboration with the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce organized a Pak USA Business Summit 2020 at Serena Hotel Islamabad. The conference got huge support from the local business and there was overwhelming attendance at the conference. Over 200 business people attended the conference. In addition, the American Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Paul W Jones also attended the conference and addressed at the conference. His speech really was focused on how the USA is open for business for Pakistani businesses through favorable trade policies of the current USA government. He invited Pakistani business to take advantage of the current preferable environment for Pakistan. The delegation members of PABF also addressed the conference as well as the Rawalpindi Chamber President. The chief guest Mr. Azam Khan Swati, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, in his address at the conference shed light on current government policies to boost export and ease of doing business in Pakistan.
On January 09, 2020, the PABF delegation visited the National Assembly of Pakistan and met with various members of the National Assembly. The focus was to discuss the objectives of the PABF delegation trip and PABF activities to boost bilateral trade. The delegation also met with Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan and had a very fruitful meeting with him. The speaker told the delegation that the current PTI government is very interested to see the private sector of Pakistan play their vital role to boost the economy. The delegation visited the Turkish Embassy the same and met with the Honorable Ambassador of Turkey. The Ambassador showed real warm wishes for the success of the PABF mission and reiterated historic relations between Pakistan and Turkey. On the same day, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Azam Khan Swati invited the delegation at dinner and had a discussion in a very friendly atmosphere.
On January 10, 2020, the delegation visited the Hazara Division scenic areas and also Cadet College Batrasi. The delegation observed a great possibility of boosting Travel and Tourism in those areas and made notes to take back to the USA and campaign for the great Pakistan Tourism industry.
On January 11, 2020, the delegation visited Lahore. During the Lahore visit the delegation first met with Mian M. Kashif Ashfaq Chairman & CEO Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development & Management Company (FIEDMC). He briefed the delegation on the characteristics, incentives, and details on the projects under FIEDMC. He also promised a 500 acres area to be designated for Overseas Pakistanis. It was a very productive meeting and the delegation showed interest in bringing investments for FIEDMC from US Investors. Later that afternoon the delegation visited Lahore Chamber of Commerce at their offices and met with President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh. Both PABF and Lahore Chamber showed their interest to work together in the future and share data for future trade shows and conferences in Pakistan and the USA. Later the delegation visited the Governor House Punjab and met with Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar. The PABF delegation communicated the objectives of PABF and the current trip to Pakistan. The Governor appreciated the efforts of PABF and showed his support in any form.
On January 15, 2020, PABF delegation visited Faisalabad to see the site for FEIDMC projects and met with the Chief Operating Officer of FEIDMC. The COO and his team took the PABF delegation to a tour of the development sites and showed around.
On January 17, 2020, the PABF delegation visited Karachi and met with Chairman of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce (FPCCI) at the Federation House. Mian Anjum Nisar the Chairman and PABF delegation discussed how to work together to boost bilateral trade between Pakistan and the USA through the exchange of data and information and Trade conferences and trade shows.
On January 18, 2020, the delegation visited the office of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and met with Mr. Arshad Islam, Senior Vice President of KCCI. The meeting was also attended by some members and staff of KCCI. The PABF delegation obtained the relevant contacts of staff and members who might be instrumental in future efforts of PABF to hold Trade Conferences and Trade shows both Pakistan and the USA.
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