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| American Business Council to emphasize unlocking and unleashing the true potential of Pakistan’s - September 15, 2011 |
American Business Council to emphasize unlocking and unleashing the true potential of Pakistan’s private sector
Karachi, September 15: This year the American Business Council (ABC) is planning on commencing a signature event – ‘The American Business Council Economic Summit 2011’. The inaugural session is planned for Saturday, September 17th at Karachi. Prominent and leading speakers of great repute including Mr. Shaukat Tarin- Silk Bank, Mr. Jahangir Khan Tareen- MNA, Mr. Nadeem Naqvi- MD Karachi Stock Exchange, Mr. Saleem Mandviwala-BOI and Mr. Shabbar Zaidi- Partner A.F. Ferguson, amongst others will share their insights and will answer any queries or challenges via interactive Q&A sessions.
The topic for the event is “Unlocking True Potential, Boosting Pakistan’s Private Sector”, as the ABC strongly believes that the future of Pakistan lies in a vibrant private sector - a thriving private sector, possible through good governance and conducive government policies can influence economic development positively.
The ABC office bearers, along with the guest speakers, will address requirements for government policies regarding corporatization, creating a competitive environment and inspiring confidence amongst the business community and investors. The speakers will also discuss our economy, GDP’s track record and plan to target ‘double digit GDP growth’ via boosting the private sector.
ABC believes that the private sector will be the single most critical pillar for this future growth and that the vibrancy of the private sector can only be unleashed with the help of proper policies, support and encouragement by the government. The Private Sector can drive disproportional growth for the overall economy in Pakistan
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| IP rights will be protected with implementation of IP laws – June 17, 2011 |
IP rights will be protected with implementation of IP laws
ISLAMABAD: Intellectual Property (IP) rights of multinational as well as national organisations would be protected with strict implementation of Intellectual Property (IP) laws in the country.
Chairman Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO) Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi while presiding over a meeting of the American Business Council (ABC) Thursday said, “We are initiating reforms to improve the working of IPO and in this connection we are actively involving the media to highlight the role of IPO in protecting IP rights and creating awareness among the masses especially the business community to get their trademarks, patents, copyrights registered”.
He said the process of establishment of IP tribunals was in progress and two provinces had so far been sent their consent in this regard. However, the idea would be implemented in all the provinces for speedy disposal of all cases relating to infringement of IP rights after mutual consultation of the provinces.
He said Policy Board of IP would be constituted soon to take policy decisions by giving due representation of government as well as private sector. He agreed in the meeting whatever copyright would be filed for registration first it would be referred to Trade Mark Registry to avoid overlapping of IP rights.
Humayun Bashir President ABC apprised the chairman about the infringement of the IP rights and suggested various ways to protect the rights by active involvement of the law enforcement agencies. He said his organisation would send comprehensive proposals and remedies for the IPR and presented the annual report of the ABC to the Chairman IPO-Pakistan. staff report
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| ABC Guest Speaker Program – U.S. Ambassador H.E. Cameron Munter – May 9th, 2011 |
Karachi, May 9th 2011: The U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Cameron Munter met with the members of the American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) over a lunch meeting. Formed in 1984, the ABC is a chamber of US Businesses in Pakistan – it is the only single country Chamber - and the largest group of single country overseas investors in Pakistan.
Ambassador Munter, accompanied by Consul General William Martin, were welcomed by the ABC President, Mr. Humayun Bashir, CEO of IBM. In his opening address, Mr. Bashir addressed the current economic and security environment that ABC companies are operating in, and requested the Ambassador for clarity on the way forward for U.S.-Pak relations in light of recent events.
The Ambassador welcomed the opportunity to speak with the ABC and reiterated the importance of a continuing dialogue between the U.S. Govt. and the people of Pakistan. He hailed the elimination of Osama Bin Laden as a victory for both the American and Pakistani people, as well as the rest of the civilized world. He further paid his respects to all those Pakistanis who have been fighting and have been victims of the war on terror. Ambassador Munter further asserted that we are on the threshold of a new phase in U.S.-Pak relations and as Pakistan commits itself to moving ahead in the continued fight against terrorism, the U.S. Govt. is a willing partner for the future.
While on the subject of Pakistan’s economic prospects, Ambassador Munter stressed the need to address two areas in particular – the energy crisis and increasing the tax base. He urged the business community to push for change; “We are counting on you to continue raising your voices” and stated the ABC is the “vanguard of what we represent in Pakistan”.
The lunch was well attended by ABC members, most of whom are Fortune 500 companies with cross-sector representation from the FMCG, IT, Pharmaceutical and Financial industries amongst others. The feeling amongst those present was a positive one as they were heartened by the candour and supportiveness expressed by the U.S. Ambassador
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| Majority of the companies did well in 2010 - January 27, 2011 |
Dawn, Business Recorder, Express Tribune, Jang and Express Urdu January 27, 2011
Majority of the companies did well in 2010
The American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) held its first CEO ROUNDTABLE meeting of the year on 26th Jan. 2011. This meeting was attended by members of the ABC, representing a cross section of sectors including healthcare, financial services, information technology, chemicals & fertilizers, energy, FMCG, food & beverage, oil & gas and others.
The key points of the discussion included:
• Economy will go through a challenging patch in 2011, but the outlook for 2012-15 starts to look positive as per the BMA report and other economists
• ABC CEO’s have hope that the political stability and dialogue between parties will bring agreement on different economic issues
• Despite of the difficult security and economic situation; pockets of the economy are doing well and businesses continued to invest in 2010 and plan to do so again for 2011. ( 60% did well in 2010 , and 40% plan to invest more)
• Sectors like IT , FMCG , Agriculture are attracting more investment.
• Key Challenges highlighted were:-
– Cost of doing business , high interest rates/ cost of Power & utilities (Gas)
– Security Situation over all, plus personal security and travel issues.
– Taxes and inconsistency of Govt. policies.
The members of the ABC comprise of some of the most prominent business executives, managing amongst them the most prestigious businesses, in Pakistan, most of which are Fortune 500 companies. The ABC remains committed to upholding its mission - '' To Protect and promote the interests of US Investors in Pakistan; To encourage and stimulate new investments; To introduce and inculcate best practices; To strive to establish a level playing field in the country in order to promote the development of commerce between the USA and Pakistan ''
• ABC Members have cumulative revenues of over US$3 billion, with an investment of approx. US$ 600 million.
• Their contribution to the National Exchequer, through direct/indirect taxes was Rs. 57 billion.
• They exported goods worth Rs. 23 billion during 2009-10.
• They directly employ over 55,500 people, with 220,000 dependents, and indirectly employ approx. 1 million people through their networks of agents, distributors, contractors etc.
The American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) is a Chamber of Commerce & Industry of American businesses in Pakistan affiliated with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, (FPCCI) and is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), Washington D.C., and Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC). ABC also has a close working relationship with the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council, Washington which is a component of the USCC.
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| ABC Executive Committee – 2011 |
Dawn and Business Recorde January 13, 2011
The ABC Office Bearers
The American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) is pleased to announce that following its Executive Committee Elections, Mr. Humayun Bashir, Country General Manager, IBM, was unanimously elected President ABC and Mr. Saad Amanullah Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Gillette Pakistan Ltd., was unanimously elected Vice President for 2011.
The members of the ABC Executive Committee 2011 are Mr. Tauqir Ahmed, Chief Executive, DuPont Pakistan Operations (Pvt.) Ltd.; Mr. Tasleemuddin Ahmed Batlay, Director, Colgate-Palmolive (Pakistan) Ltd.; Mr. Shabeeh Ikram, General Manager, Johnson & Johnson Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.; Mr. Antoine Joignant, Area Manager Pakistan and General Manager, Sheraton Karachi Hotel, Starwood Hotels and Resorts; Mr. Akram Wali Mohammad, Chief Executive, Gerry’s International (Pvt.) Ltd.; Ms. Zehra Naqvi, Chief Executive, ACE Insurance Ltd.; Mr. Faisal Sabzwari, Country Manager, Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.; Mr. Rizwan Shafi, EVP, Crescent Bahuman Ltd.
The members of the Executive Committee comprise of some of the most prominent business executives, managing amongst them the most prestigious businesses, in Pakistan. The ABC warmly welcomes its new office bearers to their positions and looks forward to another successful year, where it remains committed to upholding its mission - '' To Protect and promote the interests of US Investors in Pakistan; To encourage and stimulate new investments; To introduce and inculcate best practices; To strive to establish a level playing field in the country in order to promote the development of commerce between the USA and Pakistan ''
The American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) is a Chamber of Commerce & Industry of American businesses in Pakistan affiliated with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, (FPCCI) and is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), Washington D.C., and Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC). ABC also has a close working relationship with the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council, Washington which is a component of the USCC.
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| Inauguration of ABC Secretariat by the U.S. Ambassador June 23, 2009 |
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| Business Recorder January 13, 2011: ABC Election Results - 2011 |
Business Recorde January 13, 2011
Humayun Bashir elected ABC President
KARACHI (January 13, 2011): The American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) announced that following its Executive Committee elections, Humayun Bashir, Country General Manager, IBM, was unanimously elected ABC President and Saad Amanullah Khan Chief Executive Officer, Gillette Pakistan Limited, was unanimously elected Vice President for 2011.
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