PAKISTAN ATTENDS PDAC MINING CONVENTION - Canada Pakistan Chamber of Commerce

Toronto March, 2012

Canada-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted a Mining delegation from Pakistan during PDAC. This is the first time such a high-powered delegation participated in PDAC.

The 18 member delegation comprising of public and private sector of Pakistan was led jointly by Dr. Asim Husain, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources and Minister Salim Mandvialla, Minister of State and Chairman BOI. “This shows the commitment of the government of Pakistan to develop Pakistan’s mineral deposits” says Mehreen Javaid, President of Canada-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce.

The delegation met with senior government officials, private companies and attended the PDAC convention.

Program:

March 4th: CPCoC hosted a welcome brunch in the honor of the visiting delegates. Minister Charles Souza, Minister Citizenship and Immigration Ontario, Honorable John Mackay attended the event.

March5: The delegates visited the PDAC floor and met with various companies.

A Reception was hosted by SNC Lavalin at the National
Club, Toronto.

March6: Delegates spent the day at PDAC floor.

A Meeting was arranged with Barrick Gold and the Ministers. Barrick Gold appreciated the efforts of the government of Pakistan to assist them.

His Excellency Akbar Zaib, High Commissoner hosted a dinner at the Council General’s House. The delegates attended the event.

March 7: The Official trip was concluded by a lunch event hosted by CPCoC. The aim of the lunch was to educate Canadian companies and service providers about the potential of mining opportunities and government incentives for foreign companies. Mr. Irshad Khokhar, Director General Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources gave a 15 minutes presentation on the potential of the mining industry and government policies.

The chairman of PIA announced special packages for the Canadian Sikh community who would be visiting Pakistan to visit their holy places.

The event concluded with an open floor for audience to ask questions to the panel.

Panel members included:

Dr. Asim Siddiqui, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources
Minister Saleem Mandviwalla
Shahid Ahmed Khan, Grant Thornton
Robert Webb, Senior Trade Commissioner Canadian High Commission, Islamabad
Mehreen Javaid, President, Canada-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce

The event was attended by

Tetthyan, Barrick Gold.
Chairman, PIA
Engro Foods
Henena Blaikie
HSBC
Tetratech
Dawn Group
Citi Bank
SNC Lavalin
Scotia Capital
PWC
Ministry of Agriculture, Ontario

CPCoC is pleased to announce that since the PDAC delegation, a we have seen nearly $1 million of export business from Pakistan already, a $3.5 million loan addition to one company and a visit by an Ontario company to Punjab to investigate salt and potash mining.

As a result of the above events, Canadian mining companies showed interest to work in Pakistan. CPCoC will be leading a delegation to Pakistan on Oct 14th, 2012, which includes junior mining companies and Heenan Blaikie.