Soft image of Pakistan should be promoted at the international level and "Branding Pakistan" is doing a commendable job by involving foreign diplomats in this process, said Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI). He was addressing an introductory exhibition "Colours of Pakistan through the eyes of Diplomats" at FCCI complex here on Saturday.
Ms Elli Takagaki, founder Paper Miracles, Syed Ahmed Masood and Salman Shahzad of Brand Pakistan also participated in this event. Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz said that terrorism during last decade had badly damaged the Pakistan's image abroad and thus Pakistan was handicapped to fully exploit its export potential during this tenure. "Situation has now returned to normal", he said and added that diplomats and foreign visitors are surprised to see that today's Pakistan is not as unsafe as it was projected by the international media. "It is as safe as any other country of America or Europe", he said and added that it is the most appropriate and high time for us to en- cash this changed conditions by projecting and promoting our indigenous brands in international markets.
Appreciating the role of Brand Pakistan, President FCCI said that organising Exhibition "Colours of Pakistan through the eyes of Diplomats" is very appropriate and in time, adding that it will help Pakistan to fully exploit its potential by introducing its indigenous brands in the international markets. Jamil Ahmed Vice President FCCI stressed the need for the development of requisite infrastructure deemed necessary to develop, promote and market Brand Pakistan in international markets. He said that Foreign Office of Pakistan and commercial consular posted abroad are already projecting soft image of Pakistan but business community should also contribute its role with serious, focused and sustained approach.
He also underlined the importance of value addition and said that despite of the fact that Bangladesh does not produce even a single bale of cotton, yet it was earning 30 billion dollars only through value addition. In this connection, the women of Bangladesh have played an important and commendable role. He said that Pakistan is earning 1.5 billion dollars from one million bales of cotton, whereas Bangladesh is earning 6 billion dollars from the same quantity of cotton. He said that Pakistani entrepreneurs should not only improve the quality of their products but also introduce their own brands for international markets.
Syed Masood Ahmed Director Brand Pakistan said that Pakistan is ranked at 6th or 7th position in the context of its land and population. "Our youth is full of potentialities and many of them are doing commendable job in various international organisations", he said and added that Pakistan is also rich in natural resources but we could not fully capitalise these resources. He also quoted the various functions and exhibitions organised by Brand Pakistan to promote the real and true picture of Pakistan and said that many diplomats who attended our functions were impressed and has now become our roving ambassadors. He told that Brand Pakistan has basically four objectives including projection of true picture of Pakistan, motivation of its youth to exploit the available opportunities within the country, branding of Pakistani products and ultimately internationalising these brands. He said that the brand Pakistan organised first major event in Islamabad while second function will be held in Chenab Club Faisalabad on December 05, 2015. He requested FCCI members to participate in this event to project the soft image of Pakistan.
Ms Elli Takagaki, founder Paper Miracles termed Pakistan as her second home and said she is very much impressed by the rich culture, creativeness of its youth and quality of its products. She said that Pakistani youth can deliver much better results only if they were provided proper opportunities and suitable climate. Various documentaries on culture, heritage the soft image of Pakistan were also screened. Later, Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz President FCCI cut the ribbon to formally inaugurate the exhibition "Colours of Pakistan through the eyes of Diplomats". Hundreds of participants witnessed this exhibition which was also attended by Chaudhary Muhammad Asghar, Shahid Ahmed Sheikh, Mumtaz Bajwa, Aslam Bhalli and Mirza Hidayatullah.
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