Donald Blome – US Ambassador, along with Nicole Theriot – Consul General, Casey Jones – Pol-Econ Chief, Tony Hudson – Economic Officer, Ron Rhineheart – Political Chief, and Mahreen Ghayas – Economic Specialist, visited the OICCI on June 23, 2023 to meet the Chamber’s leadership and discuss how the US and Pakistan could further facilitate private sector-led, equitable and sustainable economic growth for both the nations. The Ambassador was welcomed by Amir Paracha – OICCI President, and Rehan Shaikh – Vice President OICCI, along with Management Committee 2023 members Erum Shakir Rahim, Kamran Ata Ullah Khan, and Syed Anis Ahmed, M. Abdul Aleem – Secretary General, and Kashif Shafi – Executive Director.
Abdul Aleem shared a detailed presentation which included OICCI’s brief profile, country and sector breakup of members and focused on the role of the Chamber in facilitating FDI in the country through its various research and advocacy activities, sharing the results of our latest surveys on Business Confidence, Remittance, and Security. Discussing the current economic challenges, the US Ambassador was briefed about the current challenges, key pain points and opportunities identified by OICCI members. To overcome current challenges and pain points, OICCI has consistently raised the need for implementing a predictable, consistent, and transparent policy framework, broadening the tax base, Progressive Industrial and Investment policy, and making Pakistan visible at international forums along with continuous engagement with OICCI members.
Amir Paracha briefed the delegation on OICCI’s recent knowledge partnership with McKinsey under which six specialized, benchmarks reports will be created for six of the biggest sectors of Pakistan.
The Ambassador appreciated the Chamber’s role in facilitating investors in Pakistan and shared that the US remains committed to boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially for promoting private sector-led growth in Pakistan.
Concluding the session, Amir Paracha thanked the US Ambassador for his time and views on boosting US investment in Pakistan. He shared that Pakistan is an attractive market for the foreign investors who focus on the longer-term view. OICCI members have remained confident on Pakistan’s situation evident from their capital investment which has consistently exceeded net FDI in the past decade. The nation is very resilient and has the potential to come out strongly on the other side of the current challenges.
