Rawalpindi, (Parliament Times. (PR) : The U.S Consul General Lahore Mr. William Makaneole along with his team visited the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Thursday.
He was accompanied by the Political and Economic Chief Ms Kathleen Gibilisco, Economic Specialist Ms. Amna Anis and Communication Specialist Ms Rida Rashid.
RCCI President Saqib Rafiq, group leader Sohail Altaf, Senior Vice President Muhammad Hamza Sarosh, Vice President Faisal Shahzad, former Presidents, Syed Asad Mashadi, Dr. Shimail Daud, Raja Amer Iqbal, executive committee members, women members and RCCI members were present on the occasion.
RCCI President Saqib Rafiq gave a detailed briefing on the RCCI’s current and upcoming programs and projects. He informed that RCCI has been organizing trade shows and Business opportunities conferences in different cities of USA including Houston, Texas. He stressed on the improved networking, B2B meetings and exchange of trade delegations on reciprocal basis.
Matters related to bilateral trade, exchange of trade delegations were discussed. Idea to establish certification centers for gems and stones as well as training institutes for the sector was proposed to the Council General. Trade diversification, IT, women entrepreneurship, Skill Development, renewable energy, gems, tourism, exchange program under education and cultural programs, commerce and promotion of SMEs also came under discussion.
The U.S Consul General Lahore Mr. William Makaneole informed that in 2022, bilateral trade between Pakistan and the US reached 9 billion dollars. The Punjab province has a lot of potential in agriculture and IT. It is very encouraging that Gaming community is very popular in Pakistan. He referred to the Game Developers Conference (GDC) hosted in San Francisco, California, where first-ever ‘Pakistan Pavilion,’ was set up and more than 35 Pakistani game developers showcased their products to U.S. and international vendors and investors.
”We will continue our business relationship with the Pakistani government and business community and added that the US Mission seeks to accelerate the business and trade ties with Pakistan,” he added.
He also informed that during his stay he has traveled and visited 32 districts of Punjab and further cement the California-Punjab Sister Province/State initiative signed in January. Later U.S Consul General Lahore William Makaneole wrote in the impression book.
