A delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) led by former KCCI President Siraj Kassam Teli visited the US Consulate General in Karachi to meet US Consul General Michael Dodman. A KCCI statement here on Saturday said that the purpose of the meeting was to introduce of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce President
Khalid Haq Kazi and KarachiHoustonSisterCity
Association President Salim Sikandar Rajani, who were on a visit to Pakistan.
It said that the meeting was also attended by BMG Vice Chairmen Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki and Anjum Nisar, KCCI Senior Vice President Muffasar A. Malik, KCCI Vice President Muhammad Idrees, former presidents Haroon Agar and Mian Abrar Ahmed. US Consul General Michael Dodman, extended full support to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in supervising the visit of 20-member high powered delegation of US businessmen who are likely to visit Pakistan next year in the month of March.
Besides highlighting some general issues, KCCI delegation also briefed the US Consul General about some of the most pressing issues being faced by the business community of Karachi in obtaining business visas for US and other travel facilities. KCCI delegation maintained that delay in business visas issuance was amplifying the hardships of local businessmen as it has been observed that it could take more than 7 months in some cases to finalise visa issuance. US Consul General, in response, assured that he will look into
this matter and it will be taken up on priority with the concerned authorities in the US.
It was further discussed that the businessmen of the city of Houston, which is the hub of energy, be approached for undertaking joint ventures in Pakistan so that the country could be able to overcome energy crisis.
Referring to signing of a historic MoU between the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Houston-Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA) and Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), the KCCI delegation said that various terms agreed under the said MoU must be effectively implemented and business activities should also be
accelerated with a view to enhance cooperation between the two
countries.