The business representatives met Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Senate Chairman Mohammad Mian Soomro, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, Privatization Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Information Technology Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister of State Umar Ahmad Ghuman and Commerce Secretary Tasneem Noorani.  In addition, the business executives met with members of the American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) to create synergies in their efforts to further improve the investment climate in Pakistan.

U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker briefed the delegates on the U.S.-Pakistan economic commercial relationship and the role of American companies in strengthening these ties.  The delegation had the chance to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was in Islamabad for meetings with President Musharraf and top officials of the Government of Pakistan.

Throughout the meetings with Pakistani Government officials, the delegates praised the macroeconomic success of the Government of Pakistan and stated that the growth prospects of the country is a key factor for attracting foreign direct investment.  The delegates also expressed strong support for the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) talks between the U.S. and Pakistan.  

The delegation suggested some key areas where Pakistan should focus in order to improve the climate for foreign direct investment.  The business representatives noted that Pakistan’s reality is much more favorable than the perception in the U.S. and there is significant opportunity to showcase or market Pakistan’s story.  The delegates suggested that the Government of Pakistan should employ the necessary resources to showcase Pakistan using a targeted marketing approach.  

The mission participants highlighted and were pleased to hear from the Government of Pakistan officials about their commitment to making improvements in the areas of enhanced business and government interaction, improved infrastructure and compliance with international obligations with respect to IPR as set out in Trade Related Investment Property Rights agreement (TRIPs).   The delegates believe these efforts would significantly improve the investment climate in Pakistan.

The USPBC is the leading private sector association of U.S. companies with business and investment interests in Pakistan.  The United States Chamber of Commerce launched the Council on September 30, 2002 to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan economic relations on trade and investment issues.
 
 

  1. Mission Leader:  Ahmet Bozer, President, Eurasia and the Middle East Division, Coca-Cola

  2. Stephen Du Mont, Corporate Vice President, Cisco Systems, Inc.
      Managing Global Director, Global Public Sector Internet Solutions Team

  3. Richard Mach, Senior Business and Sales Development Manager, Cisco Systems, Inc.

  4. Norman William “Jay” Collins, Head of CEEMGA, Citigroup Global Markets Limited

  5. Robert F. Riordan, Vice President, Government Affairs, Black & Veatch

  6. Kursat Ozkan, Corporate Regional Executive, General Electric Company

  7. Shoaib A. Kothawala, President Hometex Corporation

  8. Pervaiz Lodhie, President and CEO, LEDtronics, Inc.

  9. Mohammed Ghafari, Executive Sales Director, Middle East, Lucent Technologies

10. Rafat Mahmood, President and CEO, Mahmood Investment Corporation

11. C. Nigel Thompson, Executive Director, Economic and Development Strategy, Merck & Co., Inc. 

12. Hassan Tavakoli, Vice President and Regional Director - Middle East & Africa, Motorola, Inc.

13. Edward Jackson, President and CEO, Sweetwater Intl, Inc. 

14. Tom Slone, Chairman and CEO, Touchstone Communications

15. Mohammad Tahir (Capt.), President, United American Lines/Worldwide Freight Services
 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Representative:
Esperanza Gomez
Executive Director, U.S.-Pakistan Business Council
U.S. Chamber of Commerce