Toronto, Thursday, June 7, 2012: The 2012 investment delegation from Pakistan covering several business sectors arrived in Canada at the end of May. The mission led by Mr. Saleem Mandviwalla, Pakistan’s Minister of State and Chairman, Board of Investment participated in the first Canada Pakistan Investment Promotion Conference, which occurred from May 30th – June 6th .
The aim of bringing the delegation to Canada was to promote increased bilateral trade and investment relations between Canada and Pakistan. It was jointly organized by the Canada-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (CPCoC), Canadian High Commission to Pakistan and Pakistan’s Board of Investment.
The programme began on May 30th with a round table discussion at Heenan Blaikie in Ottawa, which covered Pakistan’s economy and business climate. The roundtable discussion led by Mr. Robert Webb, Senior Trade Commissioner was attended by Pakistani company CEO’s, the Pakistan Board of Investment, EDC, DFAIT, Industry Canada and CPCoC members.
The programme continued the next day on May 31st with a reception and dinner at the National Club in Toronto which was attended by the conference delegates, government officials, Canadian companies, banks, accounting firms and law firms.
Guests heard remarks of a number of speakers from Canada and Pakistan. “This conference has special significance since it is being held at a time when the two countries are negotiating a bilateral investment treaty to facilitate business” said Ms. Mehreen Javaid, President of the CPCoC, who delivered the opening remarks.
“We are visiting Canada along with an investment delegation for the second time this year realizing the potential of investment that can be made from and to Canada,” said Minister, Saleem Mandviwalla.
Guests also heard remarks from a number of dignitaries including Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada, Akbar Zeb; Margaret Best, Ontario’s Minister of Consumer Services; Donna Cansfield, Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke Centre and Mr. Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt. The final remarks were delivered by the reception’s keynote speaker, Mr. Nadeem Naqvi, Managing Director of the Karachi Stock Exchange.
The conference culminated with the Canada Pakistan Investment Workshop on June 1st, which took place at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre in Toronto. Senior Trade Commissioner Mr. Robert Webb and Mehreen Javaid, President Canada-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce led the discussion. “The delegation brought the realities of doing business in Pakistan to government officials and potential joint venture partners in Canada, not what we all read in the media. Many connections were made and deals concluded,” says Robert Webb.
Participants heard from a number of highly informative presentations on many topics, including investment opportunities in Canada with a focus on investing and Canada’s tax laws. Other presentations were made by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
*For media inquiries, please contact Daniel Gatto at [email protected]
The conference culminated with the Canada Pakistan Investment Workshop on June 1st, which took place at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre in Toronto. Senior Trade Commissioner Mr. Robert Webb and Mehreen Javaid, President Canada-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce led the discussion. “The delegation brought the realities of doing business in Pakistan to government officials and potential joint venture partners in Canada, not what we all read in the media. Many connections were made and deals concluded,” says Robert Webb.
Participants heard from a number of highly informative presentations on many topics, including investment opportunities in Canada with a focus on investing and Canada’s tax laws. Other presentations were made by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
*For media inquiries, please contact Daniel Gatto at [email protected]
