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PESHAWAR, Jan 20 (APP):Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has taken a milestone step by organizing a first-ever two-day International Tourism Conference and Exhibition, featuring a number of investment-driven activities and engagement with government authorities and stakeholders from diverse sectors.
The SCCI has partnered with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPC&TA), the Bank of Khyber, Pakistan Media Development Foundation, Green Tourism Pakistan and others to make the event successful, with prime focus to highlight tourism, natural resources and other potentials of K-P.
Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation, Fakhar Jehan Khan was the chief guest of the event whereas U.S Consul General in Peshawar Mr Thomas Eckert participated as guest of honour.
Dozens of stalls were set up by various private brands and companies, including the Bank of Khyber, KPCTA, Sindh Tourism and Culture Departments, various departments, private companies and investors.
The organizers especially thanked the Tourism Department, Government of Sindh, Gilgit Balistan and BoK, KPCTA and other partners for their active participation and making the event successful.
Apart from President Junaid Altaf, Senior Vice President Muhammad Nadeem, Vice President of the SCCI Sabir Ahmad Bangash, former FPCCI and Group Leader Ghazanfar Bilour, former presidents Faiz Muhammad Faizi, former senior vice presidents Abdul Jalil Jan, Sanaullah Khan, former vice presidents Anees Ashraf, Haris Mufti, WCCIP SVP Zaraa Imtiaz, members of the SCCI Executive Committee Abbas Fuad Azeem, Muhammad Ashfaq and Affaf Ali Khan, Ihsanullah, MD/CEO BOK Hassan Raza, DG KP Tourism Department Muhammad Usman Mehsud, SMEDA provincial chief Rashid Aman, MD Tourism Sindh Fayyaz Shah, Executive Director General Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Raees Adil and PMDF Chairperson Durdana Shahab, SCCI Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, senior officials from Tourism, KPBOIT, SMEDA, representatives of partners, stakeholders and relevant authorities were present in the opening ceremony.
In his welcoming remarks, President Junaid Altaf emphasized that KP was blessed with abundant of rich natural resources, mountains, scenic and tourists-attractions spots, stressing on fully capitalizing the untapped God-gifted natural treasures and attracting tourists, to not only build a soft image of this region but also attract investment in various potentials of the province.
Junaid Altaf said SCCI is endeavoring to attract local as well as foreign investment in tourism and other key sectors in K-P in collaboration with government and relevant stakeholders, and today, the event is part of this effort, which would prove more productive and result-oriented, he hoped.
Mr Eckert, U.S CG while addressing the event stated that his country has keenly focused on promoting commercial diplomacy and proactive engagement with the business community to attract investment in potential sectors.
The diplomat said U.S companies are eager to make investments in diverse sectors, stating that Pakistan-US ties were moving from aid-based to trade-based relationships.
Mr Eckert acknowledged that KP has been blessed with extraordinary beauty, presence of scenic locations and tourist-attraction spots.
He informed that his country is working on six various projects to protect and preserve various heritage sites in K-P.
The diplomat said U.S mission has sustained its support for flourishing private investment in multiple sectors in Pakistan.
Mr Eckert praised the role of media, digital media and influencers for highlighting and promoting Pakistan’s soft image and tourism attraction locations in the country.
Minister Fakhar Jehan while speaking on the occasion explained the key-priorities and initiatives of KP government for uplift of the tourism sector, stating that this province is a more peaceful and lucrative destination for investment and called upon the tourists and investors to come forward to make investment in potential sectors in the province.
The Minister lauded the efforts of SCCI and partners for organizing such an important two-day event to promote the tourism sector and build up a soft image of this region. He assured the provincial government full assistance to make investment-driven initiatives successful.