Maleeha makes pitch to US investors
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NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi has invited the American business community to the country, which she said offers “the most investor-friendly policies in the [South Asia] region”.
Speaking before the New York’s Nasdaq bell ringing ceremony on Friday to mark Pakistan’s 69th Independence Day, Ms Lodhi said, “Pakistan’s strategic location gives it a pivotal role in promoting regional connectivity.”
On China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), she informed the business leaders that “plans are under way to make Pakistan a regional economic hub, providing trade, energy and communication corridors linking Central Asia to South and Southwest Asia and beyond”.
“Pakistan today has a functioning democracy, an independent judiciary and a free and lively media,” she understated.
The ambassador observed that the country’s economy has “staged an impressive recovery while our security situation is improving by the day.”
“Pakistanis are not only making a mark in their countries of adoption but sending back remittances which are at a record level today,” she said.
Earlier, top officials of Nasdaq — Andew Hall and David Wicks — congratulated the government and people of Pakistan on the Independence, after Hall introduced Ms Lodhi, said a press release.
Pakistan Consul General Raja Ali Ejaz, Pakistan-American Business Association (PABA) Chairman M. Siddique Sheikh and its President Keith Segerson also attended.
“This year’s Independence Day coincides with a remarkable recovery in Pakistan’s economy.” Segerson said in a statement. “This is a very exciting time for Pakistan to attract foreign investment and for US-based companies to benefit from lucrative incentives this country offers.”
Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2015
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Comments (53) Closed
Aug 29, 2015 10:19am
That too on CPEC? Aren't we living on borrowed times?
With the kind of fanaticism that we have in Pakistan, no investor in their right minds will come to invest in here.
And moreover where is the electricity to run the industries, which may come ?
So lets first start putting our house in order, if not all we will do and gloat over will be the signing on MOUs'.
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Aug 29, 2015 10:37am
Great work
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Aug 29, 2015 10:40am
Way to Go. Your Excellency. Iris a good time for Pakistan. Thanks to Raheel Shareef and somewhat the Government polices. As an expatriate I am reaaly excited at the turn of events. A Flight back is a distant possibility for me. All I ever wanted was an atmosphere conducive to terrorism free, Justice for all and a country where people can live in harmony without the injustice of secetRism, hatred and justice for all where Ican raise my head with Pride. God Save & Bless Pakistan.
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Aug 29, 2015 10:45am
this is what we need
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Aug 29, 2015 10:50am
Madam, your country's PM and his cronies having little investment in country and having billions US $ investment out side Pakistan
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Aug 29, 2015 11:07am
Shouldn't our ambassador to the UN be fully focused right now on building up international diplomatic support against India for its LoC violations and the atrocities in Occupied Kashmir?
We have a huge representation of all kinds of Investment & Commercial personnel at our Embassy in Washington DC to take care of issues relevant to them.
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Aug 29, 2015 11:13am
PM NS is taking the country in the right direction!!! Feeling happy about my motherland Pakistan
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Aug 29, 2015 11:29am
Dude.. Ask PM Shareef, Dar and other political figures to bring their foreign investment in Pakistan.
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Aug 29, 2015 11:37am
It is a country that has had under investment. The opportunities are huge and it has potential to grow.
Pakistan has human talent that is untapped.
Well done to the Ambassador for highlighting the positives of Pakistan.
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Aug 29, 2015 11:43am
Yes Please come and invest in Pakistan where Pakistani PM himself has all his wealth in foreign banks
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Aug 29, 2015 12:08pm
She could not have mentioned, that every PM, President and Political Leader over the past 30 years (since the advent of 'so-called democracy' has stashed billions of looted wealth outside the country, own homes abroad, or have dual-nationalities or are able to abroad quickly, as soon as their time to loot and plunder is up!
Welcome to Pakistan!
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Aug 29, 2015 12:15pm
Respect!!!
Thank You, America..
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Aug 29, 2015 12:27pm
“plans are under way to make Pakistan a regional economic hub, providing trade, energy and communication corridors linking Central Asia to South and Southwest Asia and beyond”.
The real question is what is the buying power of Central Asian states? And if Central Asian states are the sellers then who is buying from them.. China?
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Aug 29, 2015 12:44pm
PTI trolls, please keep your differences to political level and if someone good is being done, appreciate it and support it for Pakistan sake.
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Aug 29, 2015 01:41pm
Madam, are you joking ? Pakistani investors are moving OUT, and you are inviting Americans :)
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Aug 29, 2015 01:59pm
@Ahmed;
'PM NS is taking the country in the right direction!!! '
Correction; It is not NS but RS.
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Aug 29, 2015 02:06pm
Its all coming along with CPEC. US businesses s should get in before China takes it all.
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Aug 29, 2015 02:26pm
Indians can make investments in Pakistan. ...Indian companies like Tata, Larsen Toubro, Ashok Leyland,Hero,infosys etc are world class. ..Pakistan should shed its kashmir obsession and work for the jobs and lifestyle of its youth....
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Aug 29, 2015 02:40pm
First thing first, Maleeha. Let Pakistan be in a safe and sound welcoming position to invite investors with complete peace of mind.
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Aug 29, 2015 02:54pm
@Peace First India has to vacate Kashmir and hand it over to Pakistan. Then only Pakistan will do any business with India. Till then we provide the opportunities only to Chinese . India will be missing all the business just because they want to keep Kashmir with them. They should choose either Kashmir or Opportunities in Pakistan. Choice is for them.
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Aug 29, 2015 02:58pm
Thats the think I really really love this lady. A true representative of Pakistan Not Pakistani politicians
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Aug 29, 2015 03:01pm
@Peace India should shed its obsession in bullying the other countries around it and let Kashmir go and lift its oppression and prosperity can be for all in the region.
By the way, the whole scene as if India is shining only elevated by propaganda (supported by the west). There is not much substance. There are equivalent shining stories in Pakistan. Both need to lift the levels for their people all across not for a few urban population centers.
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Aug 29, 2015 03:22pm
Maleeha is superb!!
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Aug 29, 2015 03:37pm
It makes her sound hypocritical when the whole world knows that most of our politicians have safely stashed their money (and some looted from the State) in foreign banks and properties overseas...
Hard to convince anyone to put faith in a country where the PM himself does not want to bring the money and invest it at home!
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Aug 29, 2015 04:01pm
Maleeha Lodhi needs to speak the truth. The fact is that Pakistan does not have investor friendly environment. The current economic system is tightly controlled by the government for the benefit of the few selected business groups. The price of oil and Pakistani currency is not allowed to be determined by the market forces and is instead managed by the finance minister. In order to create investor friendly environment, the government needs to create a free market economy by eliminating its controls on the economy, rationalizing its tax and custom duty structures and by eliminating the nepotism based regimen of NOCs, Licenses and SROs. Once these reforms are in place, the economy of Pakistan will expand and grow to its full potential
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Aug 29, 2015 04:28pm
@tellmore If China can accept investment from Taiwan should Pakistan consider accepting investment from Indian companies and visa versa in India.
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Aug 29, 2015 04:31pm
@AW Sadly your statement describes ground realities much more accurately.
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Aug 29, 2015 05:21pm
Ringing if the opening bell will ring in the foreign investment
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Aug 29, 2015 05:35pm
@ITOLDYOU if there is no electricity, lets start by attracting investors for electricity. in no way we can stop asking people to invest. House becomes ordered with money not with talks.
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Aug 29, 2015 05:38pm
@M Rafique you need to differentiate between a business investment and a living. you might invest in hedging your future with Dollars while you live in Middle east send your money to Pakistan.
Human beings are free to earn their best livelihood.
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Aug 29, 2015 06:02pm
All messed up in The Pak Land.... All such social and business activities are the JOB FUNCTIONS of Pak Embassy and Consulate Offices. UN Mission of a country has nothing to do with it. ...
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Aug 29, 2015 06:36pm
Dr. Lodhi is an able diplomat and is an asset for Pakistan. Bravo.
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Aug 29, 2015 07:48pm
@zak
Day Dreaming...
Pakistani investors are running out and politicians are investing on foreign land.
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Aug 29, 2015 07:49pm
@M.Saeed
Yes... first eliminate the terrorist from Pakistan
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Aug 29, 2015 09:17pm
@M. Siddique : Dr. Lodhi is an old school bureaucrat and needs to retire. We need fresh young blood to represent us at the UN.
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Aug 29, 2015 10:38pm
One cannot understand it can provide "promoting regional connectivity" with hostile nations on its eastern and western borders.
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Aug 29, 2015 10:44pm
“This year’s Independence Day coincides with a remarkable recovery in Pakistan’s economy.” Segerson said in a statement. “This is a very exciting time for Pakistan to attract foreign investment and for US-based companies to benefit from lucrative incentives this country offers.”
Let's all make a new beginning...turn a new leaf, hope springs eternal.
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Aug 29, 2015 11:57pm
She has been an asset to Pakistan.
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Aug 29, 2015 11:58pm
@Ibrahim USA
Very good question. We keep on talking about Central Asia route/corridor etc, but really do they have money to buy stuff? Further, what will stop China from building an efficient rail road into Kazakhstan to dump it goods. Also playing it so that Afghanistan depends only on Pakistan for good, as if it is an multi trillion $ economy.
Does not make sense.
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Aug 30, 2015 12:03am
She is a sincere Pakistani.
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Aug 30, 2015 01:25am
@ITOLDYOU
Your pessimism makes me doubt you see the ground changes in Pakistan. It is not a fanatical country to begin with, and the security situation is so much better improved compared to 2010.
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Aug 30, 2015 01:27am
@Peace
The Kashmir obsession is not one sided - India makes it illegal to even depict the ground realities in Kashmir. If all of JK is not depicted as within the borders of India, it is actually illegal! Indians even deny using the term "disputed territory." So please, don't lecture Pakistan on its "obsession" when India is no more mature.
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Aug 30, 2015 01:28am
@Satyameva Jayate
Opening of Nasdaq on Jashn-e-Azadi requires more than the NY consul. The UN ambassador is far more prestigious.
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Aug 30, 2015 02:14am
Great initiative. This is what is required of this leadership. Let's be proactive in showing what Pakistan can offer.
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Aug 30, 2015 04:30am
Unless Pakistan can eliminate terrorism and establish a secure and peaceful environment, it will be difficult to get foreign companies to come to Pakistan. First thing we have to do is get rid of the corrupt rulers and invest heavily in our education system so we can change the mindset of the population.
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Aug 30, 2015 08:59am
@Asad Khan
this is the sanest comment over here. Key to a flourishing counttry is its citizens rational thought process. Analyse everything unbiasedly.
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Aug 30, 2015 09:35am
Pakistan's own leaders are investing outside the country, in Middle East and Europe. They are not bringing back their wealth because they feel that due to the investment climate in Pakistan, their wealth could sink. Then on what basis are they asking foreign countries to invest?
Another social indicator is that many politicians have duel nationality. The whole environment is as if the people in Pakistan have one leg in their country and another leg outside....just in case.
You are not sending a positive signal to the world.
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Aug 30, 2015 09:46am
Promotion of foreign trade and investment falls in the routine work of Ambassadors and diplomats. Some individuals enjoy self-projection more than others.
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Aug 30, 2015 11:37am
Are you Serious madam. No cricket team is ready to visit pakistan . No electricity , no security . What are you talking???
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Aug 30, 2015 11:43am
“Pakistan today has a functioning democracy, an independent judiciary and a free and lively media,”
- until next time...!!!
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Aug 30, 2015 12:02pm
@AW She is a fovourite of a number of political parties and loyal to them all, in the interest of Pakistan !
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Aug 30, 2015 12:04pm
@Amer RAO Ambassadors have to tow the government line. Politically appointed Ambassadors enjoy some publicity for themselves also.
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Aug 30, 2015 08:53pm
@tellmore Pakistan should let go off occupied Kashmir. Just calling it azad Kashmir does not make sense. Pakistan annexed Kashmir and occupied a third of it. And then gifted a valley out of it to China. Now it it high time Pakistan stopped being greedy about getting the rest of Kashmir. It's a futile obsession that Pakistan should let go off. Pakistanis have a choice to make between the progress and development of it's citizens and the Indian Kashmir.
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