ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) hosted a dinner reception in honour of foreign diplomats here on Friday. Ambassadors, high commissioners and diplomatic representatives of around 50 countries were present, while a number of additional foreign secretaries also graced the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik said that law and order situation had improved significantly in Pakistan while the economy offered great potential for foreign investors in various sectors, including infrastructure development, energy, oil and gas, natural resources, construction and engineering sectors. He said the CPEC project had created many new avenues of business and investment in the country and it was the right time for foreign investors to explore Pakistan investment opportunities.
Malik further said that foreign diplomats should play a positive role in projecting investment potential of the country in their respective countries that would help in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in our country. He also said that foreign diplomats should also cooperate in promoting a soft image of Pakistan on the international stage.
Speaking on the occasion, Malik informed the foreign diplomats that the current year proved very fruitful for ICCI in terms of building strong ties with the foreign diplomatic community stationed in the country. He was optimistic that ICCI would further strengthen its relations with the diplomatic community in the coming years in order to promote trade and exports from the country.
Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary Shah Jamal appreciated the ICCI initiative for hosting dinner for diplomats and said that such events would contribute in improving relations between the private sector of the country and the diplomatic community.
Speaking on behalf of the diplomatic community, Norway Ambassador Tore Nedrebo thanked ICCI for inviting the diplomats and assured the gathering that diplomats would cooperate in efforts aimed at promoting business and economic interests of Pakistan abroad.