KP to host international tourism summit

ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said the province offers wide-ranging opportunities for local and foreign investors, citing its natural resources, tourism potential, agriculture, minerals, hydropower and oil and gas reserves.

He made the remarks during a high-level meeting with a delegation of the United Business Group at his official residence in Islamabad. The governor also backed the reopening of border routes and trade corridors, saying Pakistan’s trade should have improved access to Central Asian states in order to strengthen business, commerce and broader economic activity.

Tourism summit planned

Governor Kundi announced that an international tourism summit would be organised soon to promote tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said consultations were already under way with former Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari and other stakeholders.

He said the proposed event is expected to be held in Nathia Gali and at the Governor’s House in Peshawar. Speaking about the planned summit, the governor said it would help improve the country’s image abroad while supporting tourism and investment-linked economic activity.

"This summit will project a positive image of Pakistan worldwide, give new impetus to the tourism sector, and create fresh opportunities for investment and the local economy," the governor said.

Women’s economic participation discussed

The governor also stressed the importance of women’s financial empowerment, saying women involved in handicrafts and home-based industries were not being paid fairly for their work. He said business and industrial stakeholders in Islamabad could help link these skilled women with domestic and international markets.

He added that the business community’s access to diplomatic circles and senior institutions could be used to better market and promote products made by women.

Business delegation attends meeting

The delegation included ICCI Founder Group Chairman Tariq Sadiq, UBG Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari, former ICCI president Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Talagang Chamber of Commerce President Malik Shabbir Awan, ICCI Executive Member Shamaaila Siddiqui, Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce President Samina Fazal, Rawalpindi Chamber of Small Trade and Small Industry Group Leader Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, former ICCI Executive Member Imtiaz Abbasi and others.

Tariq Sadiq said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had significant potential in investment, tourism and minerals, and said close coordination between the government and private sector was essential to make use of these opportunities. He added that the business community was prepared to contribute fully to the province’s economic development.