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PESHAWAR, Dec 09 (APP):President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Junaid Altaf has expressed utmost desire to work with U.S Consulate Peshawar to strengthen Pak-U.S mutual commercial and trade relations.
He made these remarks during the second visit of Mr Thomas Eckert, U.S Consul General in Peshawar here at the chamber house on Tuesday.
During the meeting both sides have agreed to exchange business delegations, take benefits from each other’s expertise, potentials and ease visa facility and remove obstacles in the mutual trade and pledged to focus on trade, not aid.
Meeting was attended by SCCI senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem, vice president Sabir Ahmad Bangash, Businessman Forum Leader and former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour, former presidents of the chamber Fuad Ishaq, Zulfiqar Ali Khan and Fazal Moqeem Khan, and former senior vice presidents Shahid Hussain and Sanaullah Khan, former vice president Anees Ashraf, and members of the SCCI’s executive committee Aftab Iqbal, Hassan Zahideen, Saddam Hussain, Shamsul Rahim, Gul Zaman and Saifullah Khan, and Affaf Ali Khan, Syed Ejaz Ali Shah, Pervez Elahi Malik, Monawar Khurshid, Hasnain Sheraz, Naeemur Rehman, Ihsanullah, Sohail Javed, and WCCIP President Qurtul Ain, Vice President Zareen Akhtar and traders, and industrialists.
Prospects are brighter to enhance Pak-U.S mutual trade and economic relations, says Junaid Altaf, president SCCI.
He highlighted immense opportunities available for investment in gemstone, jewelry, honey, handicraft, furniture, woods, pharma, oil, gas, mine and mineral sectors in K-P.
He, however, stated the size of the current bilateral trade doesn’t truly reflect the both countries trade potential.
He informed that SCCI is working on five key sectors, including honey, gemstone, handicraft, pharma, and mine and mineral.
President Junaid Altaf emphasized the mutual trade and commercial ties would be improved by exchange of business to business contact, accurately tapping each other’s resources, expertise and joint ventures.
The SCCI chief urged the U.S to help in the transfer of modern technology/machinery, launch of special skill and AI training programmes, the most important provision of cutting and polishing equipment for gemstones, global certification of honey, and access to KP’s manufacturing products to the U.S market.
He called for the establishment of a visa facility for the business community at the U.S Consulate in Peshawar.
He also hailed Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) initiatives for promotion investment, trade and economic activities in the country.
Mr. Eckert who was accompanied by U.S Economic Officer Ms. Kahtleen Gibilisco and Economic Specialist Shahid Islam in opening remarks reiterated Washington’s resolve to deepen trade and investment ties with Pakistan, emphasising the role of private sector and economic collaboration in driving shared growth and prosperity.
The diplomat while responding to various queries and recommendations of the participants mentioned about security, terrorism and other challenges, emphasized peace and stability is key to economic prosperity and development in the region.
U.S Consul General said economic and social prosperity essential for prevention of radicalization.
Ms Kahtleen Gibilisco also spoke on the occasion and emphasized the need for enhancing collaboration to further cement U.S-Pak bilateral trade and economic ties.
Group leader Ghazanfar Bilour, former presidents Fuad Ishaq, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Ms Qurtul Ain, members of the executive committee also addressed the meeting and presented a number of proposals and highlighted key potentials for enhancing Pak-U.S commercial and trade relations.
At the conclusion, the participants of the meeting expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of the father of Abid Salam and offered prayers for his departed soul.