KARACHI: President FPCCI, Zakaria Usman on Monday called for centralization of private sector's efforts for strengthening of Pakistan's economic ties with other countries under FPCCI instead of running parallel trade bodies with different titles.
He said that a joint business council or joint chamber of commerce is normally established by the national chambers of two countries. However, he regretted, some JBCs and JCCIs in Pakistan either in collaboration with local chambers or being run individually under the patronage of embassies instead of FPCCI.
FPCCI President was speaking at a meeting with United States' Consul General Michael Dodman who called on him at the Federation House, said a FPCCI press release. He said that Pakistan-US business council of FPCCI has been playing a vital role in facilitating its members across Pakistan.
He said that the partnership between Pakistan and United States is broad-based, strategic and long-term. Both the countries enjoy cordial diplomatic and economic relations.
Zakaria Usman maintained that the business community is playing a major role in strengthening Pakistan-America bilateral commercial relations. The businessmen may be given a separate status in processing visa. The USA visa process is sophisticated for new entrepreneurs which discourage them to apply for visa.
FPCCI said the volume of trade during 2012-13 is $ 4,905 million compared to $ 4,728 million last year. Pakistan exports to USA are $ 3887 million against $ 3938 million last year. The imports of Pakistan from USA during 2012-13 are $ 1018 as compared to $ 789 million last year. Since long, Pakistan is enjoying trade surplus of $ 2869 million, he said. President suggested that the US Investors can make investment in the energy and infrastructure development, textile, agri-business, food processing, surgical and leather products etc.
Senior Vice Presidents of FPCCI Shaukat Ahmed and Vice President Khurram Sayeed said that the GSP status of United States of America to Pakistan has been expired for a long. This was a great incentive for Pakistan business community to tap the USA market and it should be revived as early as possible for providing more access to our potential products in USA market.
Khurram Sayeed also informed the Consul General that FPCCI has planned to organize Pakistan's single country exhibition in Canada and we would love to hold the same event in USA after Canada. Khurram Sayeed requested the Consul General of USA to advise general trade fairs in which FPCCI may organize Pakistan's participation.
United States' Consul General in Karachi , Michael Dodman, responding to various issues raised by the office bearers of FPCCI, said that the US Consulate is focusing on the efforts for promotion of bilateral trade with Pakistan.
He emphasized on the exchange of trade delegations between the two countries to establish people-to-people contacts which is the most effective element for enhancing the bilateral and economic relations.
About ROZs, he said that due to non-viability of reconstruction opportunity zones (ROZs) in Pakistan it became impossible to proceed. However, the US authorities are thinking over it to what to do on it. He said that US visa office deals every application on individual basis and process it. In case of new entrepreneur the visa officer, if deems necessary, may call him for interview to evaluate him.
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