Islamabad Chamber of Commerce rnhancing efforts for Japanese investment

ISLAMABAD, Jan 20 (APP): The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President, Mian Shaukat Masud here on Tuesday stressed the need for enhancing efforts to attract Japanese investment into the country.

Talking to Pakistan Ambassador designate to Japan, Noor Muhammad Jadmani, the ICCI President said that Pakistan Embassy in Japan should gear up its efforts for attracting Japanese investors in different sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

He was of the view that Pakistan was strategically located at a regional hub with abundant land and natural resources, strong human resources, large and growing domestic market which offers tremendous investment opportunities to countries like Japan.

He said the current volume of business with Japan is US $2 billion which is very low, enhanced interaction between business communities of the two countries can substantially push up this trade volume.

He said Japan was still an unexplored territory for majority of Pakistani businessmen, adding that Pakistan Embassy in Japan should play its due role in facilitating frequent exchange of business delegations between the two countries so that investors and businessmen could explore more avenues of enhancing bilateral trade.

He said a One Window Facility should be established in our embassy in Japan to facilitate Pakistanis in Japan.

Speaking on the occasion, Noor Muhammad Jadmani, Pakistan Ambassador designate to Japan assured the ICCI of his support saying that would take all possible steps to facilitate Pakistani businessmen in enhancing bilateral trade with Japan.

He said his purpose of meeting with businessmen before going to Japan was to get their input for improving Pak-Japan business relations.

He said efforts were already afoot by Pak-Japan Business Council to enhance trade relations, adding that Pakistan Embassy in Japan would also take all necessary measures to enhance direct interaction between the business communities of the two countries.

Pakistan Embassy Tokyo details

Addresss: 4-6-17, Minami-Azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5421-7741 & 42
Fax: 03-5421-3610 Email: info@PakistanEmbassyJapan.com

Working Hours: Monday to Friday.

Reception of Applications for Visa, Passports etc.: 10:0012:00
Delivery of Documents (Visa)16:3016:50

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Oil and Gas conference in Islamabad on 31st

ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (APP): An oil and gas conference will be held here on Saturday the 31st Jan 2009 aimed at providing opportunities to the local and international organizations to learn more about business‑friendly policies of the present government. Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources Mehmood Saleem Mehmood will deliver a keynote address at the conference being held here at Islamabad Club

The Conference is being organized with
the support of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and the world’s leading companies.
Leading Oil and Gas companies have shown great interest in this conference with organizational heads, seeking local and international interaction, preparing their presentation papers.
Pakistan’s leading oil and gas specialists and companies, regulatory bodies, potential foreign investors, industry analysts and the national print and electronic media is likely to attend the Oil and Gas Forum 2009.

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Pakistan Invited to take part in the Yarn Expo in Bejing

BEIJING, Feb 3 (APP): Pakistan has been invited to take part in the Yarn Expo Spring, the International Trade Fair for Fibers and Yarn scheduled for end of next month, said the organizer of the exhibition.

Beside, Pakistan, suppliers from China, Singapore, Taiwan and Turkey will show case their products in the 3-day fair to be held from March 30 here at the China World Trade Centre.

Separate new Product Zones have been arranged to help visitors find what they need with ease, said the organizer Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

The exhibitors and suppliers will put their products for display including:Cotton Yarn/Fiber, Wool Yarn/Fiber, Flax or Ramie Yarn/Fiber, Chemical Yarn/Fiber and Fancy Yarn, etc.

Another benefit for visitors is a new Fringe Programme including information industry and product seminars on site.

Yarn Expo has always been the specialized trade event for the upstream fiber and yarn industry.

Details of China International Trade Fair for Fibres and Yarns

Show Dates : Start Date 29th March 2009 End Date 31st March 2009

Frequency - Twice A Year
Venue - China World Trade Center
City - Beijing
Open To - Trade Visitors Only
Exhibitor Product profile
Fibers: natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk, flax / ramie), man-made fibers (regenerated and synthetic), specialty fibers - yarns: natural
and blends yarns (cotton, wool, silk, linen / ramie), man-made and blends yarns (regenerated and synthetic), elastic yarns, fancy yarns, specialty yarns - computer related services - quality assurance - press and publications

Travel & Culture Services will organise a private group from Pakistan based on the following Itinerary.

26th March 2009 Flight from islamabad to Bejing on arrival meet and transfer to Traders Hotel Overnight at hotel
27th March 2009 Full day tour of Bejing Overnight at hotel
28th March 2009 Free for business meeting Evening Catelog show of Pakistani products at the hotel Chinese businessmen will be invited for the show which will be followed by the Dinner Overnight at hotel
29th March 2009 Visit the International Trade Fair for Fibers and Yarn Overnight at hotel
30th March 2009 International Trade Fair for Fibers and Yarn Overnight at hotel
31st March 2009 Last day of the Expo Evening special farewell dinner Overnight at hotel
1st April 2009 Transfer to airport for flight to home

Please contact us for cost and other formalaties.

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Improved security situation vital for tourism promotion say Minister

ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: Minister for Tourism Maulana Atta ur Rahman linked conducive security environment to the promotion of tourism in the country Maulana Atta, has recently assumed the charge of Federal Minister for Tourism.

Moulana appeared firm to cope with all the challenges confronting country’s rich tourism industry at home and abroad.

At home the tourism sector is being overlooked by the successive governments and quite tiny amount is allocated in Public Sector Development Programme that hardly cater for it demands. At global level, Pakistan is wrongly projected in the media and tourists are advised not to visit this south asian country, which offer four-season tourism opportunities.

It’s not just the security issue that haunt tourism as there as so many other factors that add to woes of this multi billion dollar trade the world over.

Lack of infrastructure, facilities to the tourists, transport, discouraging response from officials circles etc are some of the prime areas that need to be improved on war-footing.

“Until and unless we take this (tourism) industry on priority basis, we are not going to see it flourishing. We also need to put in maximum resource in our tourism sector,” Maulana Atta said.

Pakistan is the most blessed country on the map of the world and stands unique in the comity of nations owing to its diverse cultures, rich archeological heritage, remains of ancient civilizations including Gandhara and Indus, five out of 14 mountain peaks above 8000 metre, serene valleys, gushing rivers, vast deserts of Tharparkar and Cholistan.

“What has been explored so far in terms of tourism in Pakistan is a tip of an ice-berg with a lot more still awaiting to be discovered”, he said.

“We will plan to explore more sites in Murree, Punjab, Balochistan where, we hope, a tremendous potential exists,” Maulana Atta added.

He opined that promotion of tourism could help Pakistan and its people forge friendly relation with the people and governments of
neighboring countries.“Tourism could also be put to new dimensions if we improve relations with other countries,” he remarked.

The minister said presently Pakistan had agreements with 24 countries regarding tourism.

When asked how he deemed himself as minister for tourism given the peculiar understanding of the people about the religious conservatives, who allegedly deny the masses of opportunities of recreations, Maualan Atta said he look forward this spectacular industry in a much better fashion.”I shall take tourism industry to the new heights.”

He also ruled out the impression that Islam restricted recreation or healthier activities. “Whatever we do would be in accordance with Islamic injunctions, and of course, our Constitution.” he maintained.

Maulana Atta quoted a Quranic verse (Seero Fil Arz) which means travel around the earth and justified Islam which asked its followers to explore the world and get to new venues.

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EU Garments Manufacturers Interested In Joint Ventures In Pakistan

KARACHI, Feb 12 : Federal Advisor on Textile Industry, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig has said that due to current recession, increasing costs and wages, in Europe garments manufacturers of European Union are seriously looking towards Pakistan to have joint ventures to meet the supply to their chain of stores.
In his press statement issued on his return from European Union, Dr. Baig said he met Senior Executive Mr. Nicola Monti of Werner International in Nice , France renowned textile consultants of the world having more than 40 years experience being associated with textile and apparel industry of Pakistan, India, China and other sixty five countries.
According to Werner, EU garment units are moving from USA and EU to China and India and brands are looking for more vantures to meed the demand and are interested to have joint ventures in Pakistan. Brand like Tommy and Hilfiger also want to shift logistic capacity towards Pakistan, Research and Development and ware‑housing facilities at the supplier’s end to cut their cost.

Dr. Baig said that Pakistan has high growth on textile and apparel but has achieved less share of international market. China topped increased US market share 36% followed by Bangladesh 21%, India 18%, Morocco 19%, Pakistan 13% and on the other hand Korea lost 20% USA market share. Similarly, in the European market, China topped to gain 29% with Vietnam 28%, India 19% and Pakistan only 1.5% whereas Philippines lost 11%.

Mr. Nicola Monti of Werner International informed Dr. Baig that Pakistan garments manufacturers can cut their cost upto 45% in sewing by improving efficiency. The labour productivity is very low in Pakistan at the moment.

Our regional competitors take 75 minutes to complete and produce one piece whereas we take 133 minutes for the same work, we also waste 30% in finishing and 12% in washing. As per bench mark study of Pakistan textile and apparel conducted by Werner International, some of our garments units are over staffed by 57%. These are internal negative factors where as the external factors are no duty free market access to EU and negative image and perception of Pakistan .

Dr. Baig requested Werner International to submit a proposal to present a better image of textile industry of Pakistan to the foreign global brands for their collaboration with our textile industry. Mr. S. Dornez of Werner International is working on three year plant to be submitted shortly.

Dr. Baig concluded that he would try to bring 10 leading top brands to Pakistan for joint ventures with our local entrepreneurs.

He said that in this recession and challenges being faced by EU and USA, Pakistan should incash this opportunity with effective marketing our country.

About Werner International
Werner International is a management consulting practice specialized exclusively in the fiber, textile and fashion industry globally active since 1939.
Phone :+32-9-259 16 60
Fax :+32-9-259 16 64
info@wernertex.com

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Kazakistan delegation visits Pakistan to explore investment opportunities

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (APP): A delegation from Southern Companies Group Kazakhstan here on Tuesday visited Board of Investment Islamabad to discuss investment oppartunities in various sectors of Pakistan economy.

The delegation, led by Igor Tomas, President of the Group, is visiting Pakistan to explore investment opportunities in power, oil and gas as well as energy conservation sectors.

The delegation members included Companies’ General Manager, Ms. Natalya Badenova and its Director Marketing, Yedge Yessen Kuov.

The delegation interacted with BOI senior officials, including Iqbal Ahmad and Riaz Ul Haq Executive Director Generals as well as with the senior representatives of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, PPIB, Alternative Energy Development Board and National Energy Conservation Centre.

The delegation was apprised about tremendous potential in the energy sector due to the seriously worsening gap between energy supply and demand, non-sustainability of fossil fuels (limited oil and gas reserves), unpredictability of oil prices, lack of energy conservation culture and huge renewable hydel and wind potential.

It was further informed by ENERCON that estimated saving potential for Pakistan through energy efficiency is US $ 2 billion annually.

While referring to the opportunities in hydel and coal for
private sector, PPIB representative informed the delegates that so far only around 6,000 MW has been tapped from an estimated potential of 45,000 MW for the development of small, medium and mega Hydropower projects.

Also Pakistan’s Thar Coal Reserve are estimated at about 175 billion tons, which are still untapped.

The delegation members expressed their keen interest to invest in all major areas related to energy sector as there is huge potential and committed to visit in March this year to have basic assessment of opportunities and research completed in consultation and collaboration with the concerned ministries and departments.

About Board of Investment Pakistan (BOI)

The BOI was established with broad based responsibilities of promotion of investment in all sectors of economy; facilitation of local and foreign investors for speedy materialization of their projects and to enhance Pakistan ’s international competitiveness and contribute to economic and social development.

The BOI assists companies and investors who intend to invest in Pakistan as well as facilitates the implementation and operation of their projects. The wide range of services provided by BOI includes providing information on the opportunities for investment and facilitating companies who are looking for joint venture partners.

The BOI acts as a focal point of contact for the prospective investors, both domestic and foreign to provide them all necessary information and assistance in coordinating with other Government Departments/Agencies.

The BOI also evaluates applications of investors for the Work / Business Visa, Branch / Liaison Office and Security clearance

Tou arrange a tour of Pakistan with meetings with prospects and meeting with BOI please contact us

About Southern Companies Group.

Southern Companies Group (SCG) – An international consortium, which brings together a group of companies specializing in construction and reconstruction of the nuclear and oil and gas industries, construction of hydraulic equipment, drilling of technological and exploratory wells, production of building materials and road construction.“Southern Companies Group”
Republic of Kazakhstan, Shymkent, post: 160010, Akpan Batyra, 60А
telephone : +7/7252/ 432-276
fax: +7/7252/ 432-133

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PTDC Motels in Northern Areas Open for 2009 Season

ISLAMABAD: PTDC motels in the Northern areas have been re-opened from 22nd. The seasonal motels in Ayubia, Astak, Satpara Lake, Rama Lake, Skardu, Khaplu and Saidu Sharif Swat, have started taking guests and reservations for the year 2009. The tourist staying in PTDC Motels will be provided special discounted facilities to enjoy the spring season.

With the prime objective of promotion of tourism in remote and under-developed areas, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) launched its Subsidiary for Motels called PTDC Motels in 1976. From a modest beginning limit of 10 motels, PTDC Motels have now expanded its boarding, lodging and restaurant facilities to 43 remote tourist destinations spread across the country.

With over 600 rooms, it has now become the largest chain of motels & restaurants in Pakistan. In line with Government’s tourism development strategy, PTDC motels were constructed to meet two primary objectives; to open up new areas for tourism and set the pace for the private sector to follow, secondly, to initiate socio-economic development of the area. PTDC has been fortunate to meet with the objectives and presents an accessible and affordable facility at the most picturesque sites nature has to offer.

They are set up in areas where private sector is shy to invest or where infrastructure facilities are not yet developed. Playing a role of pioneer and trend setter, PTDC Motels have always opened up new and remote places for tourism thus bringing infrastructure (road, water, electricity, telephone etc) facilities and employment opportunities at the door-step of the local communities. PTDC Motels lead the road to prosperity and development
Motels at Aliabad Hunza, Bamburet (Chitral), Khaplu, Gupis closed during the winter-season will be reopened from 15th April and Motels at Phandar, Rama Lake, Sust, Naran, and Mastuj will be reopened from 15th May this year.

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