LAHORE, March 18: Pakistan's perception among American and European investors dominated a meeting between the US and local businessmen on Thursday at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

"The issue of perception as well as travel advisory (issued by the US State Department) has cropped up at almost all our meetings with government officials and ministers held so far," Dr Herbert Davis, the leader of the visiting US investors delegation said.

The delegation has been put up by the US-Pakistan Business Council of the United States Chamber of Commerce to look into business opportunities in Pakistan.

Majority of the delegates comprises Pakistani expatriates, who have either established their own businesses in the United States or are working for some American company.

"We have suggested to various ministers to carefully chalk out strategy to improve the (country) image according to the reality. Success stories (of the US businesses/companies) in Pakistan need to be put out in the American media," Dr Davis said.

His advice, nevertheless, was punctuated with disappointment as he added: "However, whenever such stories appear some other event seems to eclipse them." Yet, he said, he and his colleagues at the council were trying to improve the perception of Pakistan. "We are doing our part," he assured the businessmen. "The council is arranging another sector specific delegation to Pakistan in the next few weeks."

A proposal by a Pakistani American, Mr Najeeb Ghauri, to set up a fund to "market" Pakistan in the US was very well received. "We, local and US-based Pakistani businessmen, must contribute to establish this fund for aggressively marketing Pakistan as an investment-friendly country in the US," he had proposed.

The delegation is mainly composed of IT and telecom companies. "We had invited 600 companies for this visit. Many could not come despite the fact that they are keenly interested in exploring the Pakistani market," Ms Esperanza Gomez, an official of the council said.

The composition of the delegation, however, did not impress many local businessmen. "Majority of the companies represented in this delegation are already present in Pakistan. They know the country quite well, and would have made the investment and expanded their presence by now if they actually wanted to," said a participant.

"Who's stopping our Pakistani American businessmen from making investment in their motherland if they actually wish to do so? Do they need exhortations by the US Chamber of Commerce?, asked he.