ISLAMABAD: Despite security issues and other concerns, many US companies were showing keen interest to explore Pakistan for investment and joint ventures, observed Cheryl J. Dukelow, Commercial Counselor, Embassy of the United States of America during an interaction with business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
She said it was unfortunate that foreign media was not portraying true picture of Pakistan and giving a negative image. However, despite all these things, US companies were curious about Pakistan and were interested to come here. She said US wanted to enhance trade with Pakistan as Pakistan was a potential market for high quality US products.
The US Commercial Counselor said that US organized 10 to 15 trade shows every year and shared 2016 Trade Show schedule of US Department of Commerce International Buyer Program with businessmen. She stressed that Pakistani entrepreneurs should attend these trade shows in US to explore new opportunities of promoting business. She emphasized that Pakistan should address Intellectual Property Rights concerns and ensure strong enforcement of laws that would attract more foreign investment in the country. She assured that US Embassy would help genuine businessmen in visa matters.
Speaking at the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, president, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that there were great investment opportunities for foreign investors in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy and stressed that more US investors should come here to invest in areas of interest along with establishing joint ventures. He said presence of US investors in Pakistan would give confidence to investors of other countries to explore Pakistan for investment.
He said US should share advanced technology and expertise in the fields of agriculture, energy and other sectors with Pakistan to improve our productivity and produce value added products. He said that US Embassy should make visa procedures easier for Pakistani business community so that they could easily visit US to explore prospects for trade and exports.
Sheikh Pervez Ahmed senior vice president and Sheikh Abdul Waheed Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan was a major exporter of textiles products and US should allow easy access to Pakistan’s all textile products that have great potential in US market.
