ABC – A Bridge to Investment in Pakistan

The American Business Council while celebrating its 23 years of service to Pakistan held its Annual Event on April 17, 2006. President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf graced ABC's Annual Event at a lunch at Karachi Sheraton Hotel. ABC invitees included Sindh Governor & Chief Minister, City Nazim as well as Federal & State Ministers, senior government functionaries, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries. In his address President Pervez Musharraf invited investors to take advantage of the investment friendly economic policies and high growth rates due to focus on reforms agenda especially on privatization, liberalization and deregulation. He highlighted the importance of Pakistan's geo-strategic location with the advantage of being a regional economic hub and an energy corridor between the Middle East & Gulf and the landlocked Central Asian States on one side and India & China on the other side. He stated that the government was building the necessary infrastructure to capitalize on this competitive advantage. President said that efforts were being made to have greater access to the U.S. markets to boost our exports and to increase trade between U.S. & Pakistan. Earlier, President ABC welcomed the President of Pakistan and highlighted the role and contribution of the Council over the last 23 years.

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz graced ABC's Annual Event at a Dinner at Karachi Sheraton Hotel on March 3, 2007, with the continuing theme “ABC – A Bridge to Investment in Pakistan. This was an exclusive event for ABC Members including ABC Past Presidents. The dignitaries accompanying the Prime Minister included Governor Sindh, Federal Minister for Information and Provincial Minister for Industries, Transport & Commerce. Prime Minister in his address highlighted that Pakistan was one of the faster growing economies in the world. Major reforms had taken place in the banking & telecomm sectors – reforms process was continuing with transparency and with a focus on privatization, deregulation and liberalization. Major initiatives had been undertaken or planned in the power sector as well as to make Pakistan a national trade corridor with improved airports, railways and road network. The Prime Minister encouraged ABC and member companies’ Headquarters to plan door-knocks in Washington for attracting U.S. investment to Pakistan. President ABC, in his welcome address highlighted the significantly improved business & investment climate, mainly due to major structural & fiscal reforms during the last 7 years and the strong focus on sustained economic growth in the country as well as strong economic relationship between Pakistan and USA. He also summarized the role & contribution of ABC & its’ member companies.

To celebrate 20 years of ABC, a dinner was hosted by the Council, at the Sindh Governor House on January 3, 2005. Prime Minister, Mr. Shaukat Aziz & his wife graced the occasion. The dinner was attended by the Sindh Governor and Chief Minister along with a number of Ministers, foreign diplomats and guests. The Prime Minister briefly reviewed the strong macro-economic growth of Pakistan and the tremendous investment opportunities the country offered with its mega privatization agenda and gigantic infrastructure projects. He informed the guests that the government was introducing essential economic reforms and pursuing consistent policies in a transparent manner, to offer a level playing field to both local and foreign investors. President ABC in his welcome address thanked the Prime Minister for his presence and all guests as well as ABC members for joining in the 20th Anniversary celebrations.