US Envoy’s remarks on KCCI applauded

“The US Ambassador, Anne Patterson, in her speech at Karachi Chamber appreciated the role of KCCI in promoting a better investment climate and declared that it is an important player in Pakistan’s economy. As the Immediate Past President of Pakistan’s largest Chamber and as someone during whose tenure, KCCI was the most productive and most active organization, I acknowledge her sentiments with thanks on behalf of my erstwhile Managing Committee.” This was stated in a press statement by Majyd Aziz, ex President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Majyd Aziz further stated that during his term of office, KCCI was host to the largest number of foreign diplomats, dignitaries, delegations, and media, and said that in every meeting and presentation, KCCI ensured that intensive lobbying was done to promote the positive image of Pakistan and to attract long term foreign investment.

Majyd Aziz also said that he led a twelve-member high power business delegation from KCCI to United States in July-August to talk about bilateral trade, investment, image-building, and the promotion of Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZs), among other matters. He said this first-ever, high profile trip was unique in the sense that members did not talk about personal businesses but focused on Karachi and Pakistan.

The success of the KCCI visit to USA could be gauged by the fact that Members of Congress, as well as Mayors of Houston, Austin, and Sugarland, Texas, presented Certificates of Recognition to KCCI and to its President for the role of KCCI for promotion of investment, for protection of the rights of the business community, and for projection of the positive image of Pakistan. He added that KCCI’s prominence was also officially acknowledged in the hearings conducted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress.

The interaction with Senators and Congressmen, the government officials, the various think-tanks, and the labor leaders, will prove beneficial for the promotion of the long-term, fifteen-year commitment of United States for the economic development of Pakistan. He said that he was very hopeful that the legislation for the ROZ initiative would be introduced in Congress shortly and added that both the KCCI delegation as well as the second industrialists’ delegation were assured in Washington that the initiative was commendable and the Bill would soon become a reality.

Majyd Aziz also appreciated that the United States envoy visited KCCI in response to the invitation he had conveyed during his tenure. He also appreciated her free and frank interaction with a select gathering of top businessmen at a private dinner during her visit.

He said that KCCI will continue to promote investment not only from United States but that plans are also afoot to take delegations to European Union in Brussels and to Tokyo, Japan during 2008.