KARACHI, Sept 22: Only three American companies out of 60 operating in Pakistan have offered good rating to the Sindh government and eight companies have shared same perception about the Karachi city government, while 11 companies consider the Punjab government better governed and about 16 companies gave good rating to the Lahore city government in the year 2006.

The American Business Council (ABC) released on Friday results of the 2006 annual survey of its 60 member companies’ perception of Pakistan’s business, economic and investment climate as well as performance assessment of relevant government departments and of the provincial and city governments. Out of 60 member companies, some 85 per cent or 57 companies responded. The percentages have been quantified in numbers from the responses of 57 companies.

According to the survey, the Sindh government got a favorable response from only six per cent of the companies and 15 per cent of the companies shared same perception about the Karachi city government. The Punjab government was, however, held in high esteem by 20 per cent and 29 per cent offered good rating to the Lahore city government.

“A broad cross-section of respondents expressed concerns over the deterioration in law and order, and indicated that international perception is still not positive,” says a press release issued on Friday by the ABC.

The survey results reveal a positive outlook on the overall business and economic outlook and the general satisfaction on the performance of state institutions -– the State Bank of Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Central Board of Revenue. However, the American companies’ perception declined in rating for the Export Promotion Bureau, the Intellectual Property Organisation and the federal ministries of industries, health, interior and labour and manpower.

All the member companies are positive on the overall business climate in the country and as many as 96 per cent or 54 companies rate the domestic economy of Pakistan as “good or fair”. But 47 per cent of the responding companies -— some 27 companies -— expressed reservations over the internal and external political situations.

According to the press release, the ABC companies last year contributed more than Rs35 billion in taxes and provided direct and indirect employment to half a million persons. The ABC mobilised Rs4.1 billion for the earthquake relief. The ABC members have cumulative revenue of Rs2.5 billion and an investment of over $1.2 billion.