The Ministry of Tourism and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have agreed to unequivocally call upon the federal and the provincial governments to undertake sincere efforts to introduce confidence-building measures so that tourism opportunities are augmented, pragmatic initiative are developed, and official co-operation is assured.
This was stated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Tourism and the KCCI on Saturday. Minister for Tourism, Nilofar Bakhtair, Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, Salman Javed, President KCCI Majyd Aziz and Chairman Special Committee on MoU Implementation KCCI Talat Mahmood have signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
In the preamble both the organisation have agreed to be partners in the 4th My Karachi- Oasis of Harmony exhibition being organised by KCCI on June 1- 3,2007
Salient features of the MoU includes (a) KCCI and Ministry of Tourism have agreed that in view of the need to enhance the image of the Pakistan, in general, and Karachi, in particular, there should be close and pragmatic co-operation that would include the inclusion of the exhibition in the itinerary of Destination- Pakistan 2007 as envisaged by the ministry of tourism.
They also desire to initiate the establishment of friendly and cordial relations between the two organisations through an increased co-operation mode among the business community and the ministry.
(b) Both the organisations agreed that there should be an enhanced growth in interaction between them and that this memorandum should be mutually favourable to both.
(c) Both the organisations agreed that it is imperative that there should be maximum dissemination of information that could lead to further co-operation and collaboration between the two organisations.
(d) Both the organisations agreed that co-ordinated efforts be made to promote joint venture, initiate partnership, provide technical experts, introduce licensing possibilities, and arrange visits of industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs with regard to the promotion of tourism and tourist-related activities in the country.
(e) Both the organisations agreed that this initiative is intended to be trailblazer and they acknowledge the importance of mutual co-operation between the two organisations.
(f) Both the organisations agreed that strategic and concrete proposals, suggestions, and recommendations that are consequential and significant in the acceleration of tourism and tourist-related activities in Pakistan need to be formulated in order to achieve as:
1.Image building to dispel negative perceptions.
2. Safeguard investments and bilateral activities of stakeholders.
3. Attraction of investment and trade opportunities.
4. Intensive efforts to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and inconsistent government policies.
5. Lobby for easy facilitation of visas for foreign tourists.
(6) Organise and maintain a database to identify and promote tourist-related products and services.
7. Provide information on pool of human resources available in tourism.
8. Influence the initiation of investment protection, taxation, and other treaties.
9. Prepare and maintain information on markets, culture, religious and national factors.
10. Initiate measures to enhance transparency, media support and funding and 11. Promote joint promotions, marking and ventures.