US trade team visits FCCI, calls to enhance productive activities

FAISALABAD: American businessmen intend to enhance productive activities in Pakistan through investment, mechanization and automation in brick, agriculture and other sectors of the economy, said Gregory John, head of the business delegation of USA.

During his visit to FCCI, he said that the delegation was aspiring to exploit emerging opportunities in Pakistan and the ultimate objective of his visit to Faisalabad is to discuss and share ideas with local entrepreneurs. He said that we could launch pilot projects to enhance production in order to attain sustainable growth. He appreciated the role of AARI and said that its 700 agriculture related inventions and technologies could be commercialized, however he could also explore other sectors for profitable investment.

Kevin Wayne Stark said that there was a direct link between profit and employees. “The companies caring for their employees could earn 33pc more profit”, he said and added that its 56pc employees are loyal to their companies because of their good behaviour.

Earlier Arif Ehsan Malik President FCCI welcomed the delegation and said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and America is USD11.5bn while the trade balance is in favour of Pakistan. He said that the volume of bilateral trade could be further enhanced through American investment and technology transfer.

He also stressed the need to modernize the brick industry in addition to the value addition of agriculture produce. He said that Faisalabad is an important centre of textile and weaving. “We intend to enhance the production of power looms by switching over from traditional to air jet and water jet looms”, he said and added that American investors could set up a modern loom manufacturing unit in Faisalabad.

He said that Faisalabad was moving toward a digital economy which could play a major role in its development. He said that FCCI was ready to cooperate and collaborate with American businessmen and he will appreciate their repeated visit to this city.

Maqsood Ali a Pakistani expatriate said that Faisalabad is safe for FDI and we need to dispel negative impressions prevailing among foreign investors.

Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz, Shabbir Hussain Chawala, Muhammad Azhar Chaudhary, Hunain Hamid, Faisal Naeem Paracha and Muhammad Taimoor Sharif took part in the question-answer session while Senior Vice President Mian Muhammad Saeed offered vote of thanks.

Later President Arif Ehsan Malik presented FCCI shields to the members of the USA business delegation. Fred Burckbuchler, Jeffrey T. Troike, Dr. Rubina Feroz Bhatti, Muhammad Akhtar Iqbal, Vice President FCCI Muhammad Yasin, Muzmil Sultan, Umer Farooq Khaloon, Sheikh Muhammad Fazil, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Yousaf and Imran Latif were also present during this meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026