Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Ali Jehangir Siddiqui welcomed the visit of the delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) to the US, and highlighted the initiatives being taken to promote business relations between Pakistan and US. This discussion took place during meeting of the 13-member delegation of FPCCI, led by its President Mr. Ghazanfar Bilour, with the Ambassador in New York. The FPCCI delegation is currently in US to participate in the Business Expo of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce where they also signed an MoU on trade and economic cooperation with that Chamber, says a press release received from Washington here today. During the meeting, President FPCCI proposed enhancement of trade and investment between the two countries through revival of concepts such as Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, establishment of display centers in the US missions showcasing Pakistani products, holding of exhibitions of Pakistani products in the US, convening of a conference on CPEC to address misconceptions on CPEC in the US, making efforts for increasing Pak-US trade, and increasing liaison between the Embassy and FPCCI. Members of the delegation also gave other suggestions in this regard, and especially highlighted the potential of minerals (including soap stone), marble & granite, gemstones, and food products for increasing the export earnings. The Ambassador while promising to consider the practicable proposals, briefed the delegates about steps taken for starting to prepare delegations from various States of the US to visit Pakistan for business purposes. He also touched upon other important initiatives in the pipeline which are expected to bear fruit in the near future. The Ambassador informed the FPCCI delegation about the current focus on easing of visas. The Ambassador suggested the delegation to work on out-of-the-box ideas such as the possibility of display of Pakistani manufactured products as pieces of industrial art which the embassy and consulates can assist to place in design museums and centers of the US which would gather a huge amount of attention and audience. They were also advised to provide relevant feasibility studies on projects and investment opportunities in Pakistan for sharing with US investors. The FPCCI was assured of the continued cooperation of all Missions of Pakistan in the US, and was also encouraged to increase its engagement with the US Chambers and trade bodies at all levels. The President FPCCI was accompanied by Malik Sohail Hussain, Chairman Coordination FPCCI, Karim Aziz Malikand Ch. Muhammad Shafiq Anjum, Vice Presidents of FPCCI, Akbar Khan, Sh. Waheed, Arslan Khokhar, Sikandar Khan and others, for this meeting. *****
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