Govt investing in women’s entrepreneurship to ensure inclusivity: Sardar Masood Khan
WASHINGTON, May 05 (SABAH): A group of 19 business leaders and entrepreneurs from Pakistan have attended ‘Select USA Investment Summit’ held in Washington D.C. The Select USA Summit is the highest profile event in the United States aimed at providing business leaders, from across the globe, a unique opportunity to explore investment opportunities, expand their businesses and forge robust networks. This year the event was attended by over four thousand delegates from different parts of the world.
The largest ever Pakistani delegation attending this year’s summit represented a range of businesses including clean energy, telecommunications, IT, security, chemicals, packages, fabrics, constructions, agriculture, manufacturing, food & restaurants, pigments, logistics, education, rubber industry, automobiles and others.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan hosted Pakistani delegation and Select USA leadership including Ms. Aileen Crowe Nandi, Executive Director for Asia at the US Department of Commerce, Mr. Nathan Seifert, SCO Foreign Commercial Services.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Masood Khan appreciated the contributions of Pak-American community who were investing in Pakistan and were playing a critical role towards building bridges and connecting the people of the two countries.
Masood Khan highlighted that the United States was the largest trade partner and export destination for Pakistani products. Noting increasing trajectory of Pak exports to the United States, especially in IT and services sector, the Ambassador also pointed out that 80 US enterprises were undertaking profitable business venture in Pakistan, employing 150,000 person and providing livelihood to nearly one million household. He said that a number of US companies had front and back offices in Pakistan and were keen to expand their businesses in oil and gas, renewable and green energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
The Ambassador expressed the hope that Pak entrepreneurs attending the Select USA Summit would also take an initiative to launch ‘Select Pakistan’ for enhanced investments in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Aileen Crowe Nandi thanked the delegation for their participation in the Summit terming it as the largest ever delegation attending the summit. She said that the US administration was committed to provide a conducive environment to the business community. Acknowledging huge potential of Pakistani female entrepreneurs, she expressed the hope that Pak businesswomen and entrepreneurs would also visit the United States to explore business opportunities and expand their networks.
Masood Khan said that Pakistan was emerging as a huge regional business ecosystem acting as a hub for Central & West Asia, Turkey, Middle East and North Africa and therefore should be an attractive destination for investment and business activities. “To make Pakistan’s economy and businesses inclusive, the government was investing in women’s entrepreneurship,” he added.
Meanwhile Senator Danesh Kumar Palyani and Senator Gurdeep Singh, now visiting the United States, have said that Pakistan attaches highest importance to promotion and protection of rights of minorities and integrate them into the mainstream. “Inter-faith harmony is a priority for us and we are making diligent efforts in that direction,” the two Senators said.
These remarks were made by the two Senators during an event that was hosted by Ambassador Masood Khan at Pakistan House. The two Senators were accompanied by a delegation of Pakistani-American minorities leaders as well as other community leaders from different parts of the United States.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that the visiting Senators would be able to brief their interlocutors here about Pakistan’s strong commitment to pluralism and respect for diversity.
Senator Kumar and Senator Singh highlighted various legislative, administrative and legal measures that have been taken by successive governments in Pakistan to bring minorities’ communities into the mainstream.
Referring to the landmark steps taken by the government including opening of Kartarpur Corridor, restoration of temples and other religious places across the country, the Senators said that these efforts reflected strong commitment of the government to the cause of minorities of the country. The Senators highlighted that members of minorities were represented in all walks of life.
“Like any other nation, we also face challenges in our pursuit of ensuring complete protection of our minorities and vulnerable groups but we are committed and we would never falter, as a nation, towards fulfilling our obligation,” the Senator said.
Ambassador Masood Khan acknowledged the efforts being made by Pakistani American minorities leaders who were acting as a bridge between Pakistan and the United States.
“The conduct of our community, especially the efforts being made by community leaders belonging to various faiths and beliefs in building bridges was reflective of our national character and also of our belief in peace, co-existence and inter-faith harmony,” he continued. He acknowledged the efforts being made by Ilyas Masih and Raj Rathore.
Ambassador Masood Khan also briefed the Senators about ongoing dialogue of Pakistan with the US State Department and US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).