KCCI for trade, access to US markets instead of aid

Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s President Muhammad Haroon Agar voiced that Pakistan don’t need aid but trade and access to US markets.
Exchanging views with the delegation of USAID in Pakistan headed by Alan L. Davis, Director Economic Growth, USAID Islamabad emphasized that besides granting economic assistances/aid, USA may consider increasing investment in Pakistan as it is largest trading and investment partner of Pakistan.
He apprised that Pakistan had lost precious lives of its citizens and faced losses of billions of dollars in war against terrorism. USA should reciprocate its cooperation through shifting its support from conventional aid to market access, investment, technology transfer, education and training, scientific research, power generation and infrastructural development.
He appreciated the USAID assistance in various programmes of economic growth, agriculture, energy, education and health. He was of the view that besides funding in dams projects, USAID may consider funding in projects of Thar Coal and other alternate energy solution. Similar coal is being used in various power plants around the world and one in UK Yorkshire, he told. USA allowed civil nuclear energy to UAE and India.
Similar treatment be accorded to Pakistan to overcome energy crisis, he conversed. He also suggested that in Economic Growth and Agriculture, USAID can make programmes to educate farmers and rural population to add value to agricultural and dairy products. USAID can make Micro-Financing programmes to eliminate poverty and promote Micro-Entrepreneurs. Similar programmes can be developed for SMEs.
He also proposed funding of US Special Economic Zone on the pattern of Japan Special Economic Zone planned in Karachi. He was of the view that USAID can invest in revenue generating projects of National Interest on BOT– Build, Operate and Transfer basis in Metro railway in Karachi, Mass transit, Low Cost Housing, Town Planning, education, medical, mining, constructing new small dams and other projects. To promote SMEs he also suggested for institutional capacity building of SMEDA and support to SME Bank. He assured USAID team in Pakistan Karachi Chamber’s best support and cooperation.
Alan L. Davis, Director Economic Growth, USAID Islamabad recognized the vibrant role of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry for promotion of commercial and industrial activities and sought support of KCCI in various USAID programmes in Pakistan.
He informed that owing to importance of economic development, USAID’s economic growth program seeks to secure a self-sustaining future for Pakistan by nurturing competitive enterprises, efficient market environments, effective government policies, and business opportunities for women. He said that USAID works with governmental and other partners to strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural sector, so it can meet domestic food needs while generating export revenues. These initiatives are spurring broad-based economic growth and improving the earning power of people throughout the country.
Geoffrey Minott, Deputy for Economic Growth & Agriculture USAID Islamabad informed that USAID Pakistan Trade Project active since 2009 supports the Government of Pakistan and private sector stakeholders in improving the trade environment through effective trade policy implementation; enhances capacity, procedures and systems of Pakistan’s institutions to increase regional trade, especially through Pakistan’s borders.
He said that USAID team was working on the trade project with National Trade & Transport Facilitation Committee of Commerce Ministry, National Tariff Commission which covered modernization of Customs practices and procedures and new Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement. Restructuring of federal and provincial chapters of Board of Investment of Pakistan, SMEDA were in progress under FIRMS project.
Other projects in progress were Work Force Development for Youth, Micro-Entrepreneurship Development, Trade project, Balochistan Agriculture project, Dairy Rural Development Project, Pakistan Strategy Support Project for policy development, Agribusiness Horticulture & Livestock project, Gomal Zam Irrigation and Satpara Dam Development Projects.
Randy Chester Deputy Office Chief Agriculture USAID, Kanwal Bokharey Economic Growth Advisor, Sarah Parvez Economic Growth Specialist USAID, Anjum Nisar, Majyd Aziz former Presidents KCCI, Shamim Firpo, Sr Vice President, Nasir Mehmood Vice President and Managing Committee Members KCCI also participated in the meeting and shared their views on matters of mutual interest.