Shawaal 12, 1428
October 25, 2007
Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism is appreciated by America-Anne W.Patterson, Ambassador of United States
Ms. Anne W. Patterson, Ambassador of USA said that the facility of duty free access of Pakistani goods to USA market is expected to be initiated soon following the acceptance of USA President’s request to Congress. The Congress is expected to complete the process of legislation very soon .She said that USA President has asked Congress for $ 60 Million for the socio-economic development of the tribal areas of Pakistan. She was addressing a select gathering of Members of KCCI.
She responded to the remarks of Mr. Shamim Ahmed Shamsi, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding the challenges faced by Pakistan in fighting the threat of Terrorism.
Mr. Shamim Ahmed Shamsi, President KCCI, Leader of the Business Community, Mr. Siraj Kassam Teli, Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, Senior Vice President, Mr. Haroon Agar, Vice President , senior leaders, Mr. Tahir Khaliq, Mr.Anjum Nisar along with Mr.Majyd Aziz the immediate past President and members of Managing Committee spoke on the occasion..
Ms. Anne W. Patterson, Ambassador of USA., visited KCCI along with US Consul General Ms. Kay L. Anske on October 24, 2007
“The pivotal role played by Pakistan in combating terrorism has proved as a time tested and true ally of USA in such campaigns where a practical and instant support was required by US Government to address this challenging issue to ensure peace in the world. However, it is unfortunate that this devoted contribution of Pakistan has not materialized in terms of increased economic cooperation between Pakistan and USA. USA must reciprocate this contribution by helping Pakistan to address the economic challenges through shifting its support from conventional aid to market access, investment, technology transfer, education and training, scientific research and infrastructure development.” This was stated by Mr. Shamim Ahmed Shamsi, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, (KCCI) in his welcome address.. Mr. Shamim Ahmed Shamsi in his welcome address dwelt in detail about the various aspects of bilateral economic relations between the USA and Pakistan and apprised the Ambassador of the Chamber’s view point regarding Bilateral Investment Treaty, He advocated for providing a level playing field in textile trade by allowing textiles and clothings to enter the US market on the same terms and conditions as given to Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and Sub-Sahran Africa. He said that imports from these countries and regions are zero rated while Pakistani textile goods are subjected to around 10.5% duty
Ms. Anne W. Patterson, Ambassador of USA to Pakistan, in her address appreciated the role of KCCI in promoting a better investment climate and declared it ‘an important player in Pakistan’s economy’.
“Challenges are there and work of institutions like KCCI helps sustain our partnership and improve Pakistan’s economy”, she added.
The US Ambassador elaborated, “Pakistan is an important ally and we are committed to a long term economic, strategic and commercial relationship. US is currently Pakistan’s largest trade and economic partner and we have always supported economic development in Pakistan and trade with it.”
Ms. Anne W. Patterson, Ambassador of USA to Pakistan, in her address to KCCI members also lauded the role of private sector of which KCCI is the representative. She said it is playing an important role in promoting better investment climate and declared it as ‘an important player in Pakistan’s economy’. “Challenges are there and work of institutions like KCCI helps sustain our partnership and improve Pakistan’s economy”, she added.
The Ambassador reiterated that USA President had asked Congress for Dollar 60 million for the socio-economic uplift and development for tribal areas in Pakistan, and the US Congress is expected to take-up shortly a piece of legislation necessary to allow a duty-free access to US market for products from specially designed areas in Pakistan. She recalled that earlier the US President, during his visit to Pakistan in March 2006, had announced an initiative to establish Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZs) as part of plan to promote sustain growth and help create job-opportunities in Pakistan.
In response to KCCI President’s suggestions she agreed to recommend for accelerating the process of Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), Free Trade Agreement (FTA) coupled with preferential market access in USA to Pakistani products to make them competitive in the wake of dawn of quota free regimes.
The USA Ambassador said, “Her country is open for your visits, whether you are a businessman, a student or a tourist. She said that the opportunities for bilateral trade between Pakistan and USA are enormous and beneficial for both the countries”.
Ms. Anne W. Patterson added that it is incumbent upon the US Government to inform its citizens about the prevailing environment in any foreign country, for which the Travel Advisories are periodically issued. She categorically denied that the Travel Advisories are politically motivated and said that these Advisories have been issued even for Mexico, which is a neigbour of America and its NAFTA Partner. She said that Travel Advisories are for security purposes. “Our security concerns are known to every one” She emphasized.
Regarding issuance of Visa, the US Ambassador disclosed that US law requires that any one applying for visa must appear in person at the Embassy and it is for this reason that the issuance of visas has been centralized in Islamabad. She said that rejection rate has decreased and students are interviewed without appointment. She said that request of issuance of business Visas promptly shall be considered subject to security concerns.
Mr. Siraj Kassam Teli, Leader of the Business Community and Past President of KCCI, said that Pakistan is interested in US investment in infrastructure, energy and human resource development sectors to cope with its needs for a rapidly growing knowledge-based economy. He said that although Pakistan in 2006-07 had successfully attracted a record US investment of 1.7 billion but it needs to be further enhanced keeping in view of the actual existing potential between the two countries. He said we need ‘trade’ instead of ‘aid.’
The Leader of the Business Community stressed the need for fully realizing the potential of cooperation in textiles which is a back-bone of our economy. He also underscored the need for US investment in energy, education, science and technology and human resources sectors. He further proposed that people to people contacts including cultural exchanges of people and high-powered delegation be further strengthened to enhance bilateral trade and cultural ties between the two countries.