Counsel Locke Lord LLP, Washington, Ms Shannon Grewer has said that investors want to invest in Pakistan but hesitate and do not know from where to initiate. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday evening, she said that the main struggle between the private sector of two countries was match making and outreach to find best suitable business partner.
She expressed hope that signing of USA Pakistan bilateral investment treaty in near future may pave the way of signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in days to come. Shannon Grewer was of the opinion that there were challenges and obstacles on both sides with regards to bilateral relations. She agreed with President KCCI Mian Abrar Ahmed that the signing FTA is necessary and added we like to see it's happened fast.
She said that she was a frequent visitor to Pakistan and found Pakistan and its people very hospitable. She said that being Counsel of Locke Lord LLP, she used to lobby for the Government of Pakistan and the United States of America in different areas. She said that Pakistan does have friends in US Congress and efforts should be made to convince them for opening US market for Pak products.
Shannon Grewer said that the American companies operating in Pakistan doing good business. Replying to questions from media she appreciated government of Pakistan decision to open Nato supply. She termed Pakistan-India trade opening story as success story of the year. President KCCI, Mian Abrar Ahmad expressed that the perception of America in Pakistan is equally negative as the perception of Pakistan in USA.
He said that the people of Pakistan and USA do not trust each other and added confidence building measures should be improved by building public stakes and granting preferred market access to Pakistan for exports to US. He said Pakistan do not want aid they want trade because around 30 percent aid was exhausted in making feasibilities, other 30 percent to NGOs and only 40 percent aid amount was transferred to the government which had no trickle down effect on masses.