Mansha urges US to think big

Quality not quantity was the gist of chairman Nishat Group, Mian Mohammad Mansha’s message to the United States during discussions with a high profile US delegation led by David Lipton, senior economic advisor to President Obama.

He urged the US to invest in mega infrastructure projects that could stimulate the growth process in the country instead of numerous small projects that it might not be able to monitor transparently.

The meeting was held in relation with President Obama’s policy to identify measures that could deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world. The meeting covered job creation, investment reforms, VAT, circular debt and the ongoing power crisis.

According to Mansha the best way to help the market is to provide Pakistani textile products access to the US market. He also suggested that the US take up a major hydel power project as it would help boost investment and create employment opportunities.

He also invited the delegation to join hands in his plans to serve the education sector by establishing a state of the art university in Pakistan and a university fund.

The delegation apprised Mansha of President Obama’s plan to award contracts through its multi-milliondollar Global Technology and Innovation Fund, designed to spur investments in the Muslim world. David Lipton assured the chairman of the Nishat Group that his suggestions would be considered.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2010.