KCCI stresses need to depict Pakistan’s positive image

KARACHI: Muhammad Haroon Agar, president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), has stressed on the need to depict real image of Pakistan with all its strength and spurn the negative perception of the country being portrayed by some foreign media, according to a statement.

Exchanging views with Jennifer Harbison, British Independent South Asia Political Risk analyst and consultant, who visited the KCCI on Tuesday, Agar said that negative propaganda of Pakistan as a country having unrest and deteriorating law and order situation has tarnished its real image and affected trade.

The perception shown in the Western media is unfair and needs to be corrected in the eyes of the countries around the globe, he said. Agar also emphasised to bridge the trust deficit with the countries worldwide through trade.

Many multinational corporations are successfully operating in Pakistan for the last several decades and not a single company was closed down, hence, more foreign companies should come and invest in Pakistan and capture the markets of three regional trading blocs viz. Saarc, ECO and Central Asian Republics, whereby Pakistan is geo-strategically located in the centre.

He invited companies to invest in the energy sector and alternative energy solutions. Stressing on the SAARC economic integration, he said, fostering the process of regional trade, Indo-Pak economic cooperation and trade liberalisation will bring peace and prosperity in the region.

On the Indo-Pak bilateral trade relations, he said that the two countries will have to demonstrate greater political will to foster relations as shown in negotiations during the last two years.

He expressed the hope that the “negative list” will be dismantled before the end of 2013 and Pakistan will accord the most favoured nation (MFN) status to India, as well.

Agar apprised the diplomat about KCCI’s recently organised two Indian single country exhibitions with Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council of India and the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO).

A business delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) also visited the KCCI for business networking.

He said that one complete hall for Indian and international pavilion is also planned in the KCCI’s 10th My-Karachi Exhibition to be organised from July 5-7 and he also intends to take a business delegation to India this year. Harbison said that she frequently visits Pakistan to have an insight on political and economic affairs.

She said that it was an information seeking visit to the KCCI on Indo-Pak trade liberalisation and the recent development on South Asian trade.

Being frequent visitor to Pakistan, she said, she found Pakistan and its people very hospitable. She appreciated the role of the KCCI in the socioeconomic development of the country and to enhance trade with the friendly countries.

Being an analyst on political risk consulting on South Asia, with particular expertise in assessing the political, operational and security risk environment for investors in Pakistan and India, she delivers actionable analysis as per the client’s requirement, particularly in the sectors of mining, telecom, textiles and pharmaceuticals.

London’s media has appreciated Pakistan’s commerce ministry’s initiative for comprehensive insurance coverage of businesspersons visiting Pakistan for commerce during their stay.

She sought KCCI president’s views on Indo-Pak trade liberalisation and Pakistan government’s support on trade with India and concerns of the business community on supply chain solutions, quality and delivery of consignments.

Posted in: Business news