US-based Pak community showing increased interest in investing in Pakistan
WASHINGTON, May 5 (APP)- Senator Nisar Memon Wednesday said more and more Pakistanis were feeling attracted to invest in the country, by taking advantage of the available lucrative incentives.
The ventures, he said help create job opportunities for the qualified persons and lead to progress and prosperity.
In an interview with APP at the end of his weeklong visit, Senator Memon said during his meetings with the Pakistani businessmen, he felt "a welcome sign of care and concern" among them for socio-economic uplift of Pakistan.
They, however, were concerned over frequent issuance of travel advisories by the U.S. Administration, which leads to doubts and alarm about the law and order situation in Pakistan.
"The general law and order in Pakistan has not only improved over the past, but remains conducive for enhanced investments, which, in fact, were fast coming up," he stated.
The noted IBM professional said it was satisfying to note that experts in IT sector were entering into contracts for bringing in more IT facilities to Pakistan, and the trend among the Pakistani -Americans, was highly appreciable.
Pakistan Government, on its part, he stated was trying to extend an enabling environment, and the reforms in finance and economy have had a salutary affect. He said there was "a lot of room" for American businesses to come to Pakistan. Senator Memon laid stress on Pakistan-U.S. people-to-people contact and boosting of trade and commercial relations, which were mutually advantageous. "There, in fact, is an immense need to do it." He said while there has been expansion in the government to government multi-year and broad-based relationship, but this should be translated in terms of people-to-people relationship.
Pakistani businessmen, he said were articulate and professional and knew the art of competition and improvement. "Right marketing enables to have more access, and more sells as well as assured profits." He said it was good to have international conferences to give a filip to trade and business, but necessary personalized contacts and follow ups with prospective buyers remained an important tactic, which must be given necessary importance. Senator Memon drew attention to news reports about 'Real ID act' which, if enacted, was feared to give the security officials unlimited powers. According to news reports "immigrants will no longer be able to obtain driver's licenses or car insurance. Police can randomly stop an immigrant and ask him to prove his status and can arbitrarily detain him." The bill is yet to be adopted by the Senate.
"If passed, it is going to affect the Pakistani Americans as well," he said. "It was time to be more aware of the enactment, now in process."
He said a number of Pakistani Americans "are well placed and well off," and they should be able to influence their area legislators to adopt favourable legislation. He stressed the need for "coordinated efforts" so that whenever they fear that a piece of legislation was going to affect them adversely, they must rise and call upon the congressmen to act favourably. "This is an area which needs a little more attention," he stressed.
During his stay, Senator Memon visited the Pakistan Embassy Tuesday. He took a round of its various sections and praised the standard of offered facilities and services. He particularly lauded the initiatives to involve second generation Pakistani-Americans, such as 'Rising Leaders' and the 'National PSA.'
He also praised the computerized passport and visa issuance setup.
Senator Memon appreciated efforts of the Pakistan Embassy to seek involvement of the community and their support, and to capably promote their cause and serve them "through concerted efforts with Pakistani-American organizations." Earlier, he also met co-chairperson of Congressional Pakistan Caucus, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and visited the Congressional Research Library.
http://www.app.com.pk/n05.htm