OICCI Members' have invested USD 13 billion over the past seven years: Shazia Syed.

KARACHI -- The Managing Committee members of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) recently held their annual interaction with senior diplomats of countries represented at the OICCI. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the current Business Environment and to share the OICCI perspective on opportunities for FDI in Pakistan. Shazia Syed, President OICCI, presented key highlights of research conducted by the OICCI, including in the areas of Business confidence, status of security environment, perception of foreign investors in doing business in Pakistan vs regional countries and status of Intellectual Property Rights compared to other countries in Asia.

Commenting on the FDI landscape, Ms Syed highlighted, 'Foreign investors, who are members of OICCI, and are already doing business in Pakistan have a very positive view and good understanding of the opportunities in the country. This can be clearly seen from the fact that they continue to invest substantial sums annually to expand their business facilities. Over the last seven years they have invested in excess of USD 13 billion from their own resources compared to USD 13.4 Billion FDI, including on CPEC projects, received in the same period.

The MNC's are not only contributing in terms of duty and taxes to exchequer...