K-P plans tourism summit

Governor announces event in Nathia Gali to promote investment, trade

ISLAMABAD:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has declared that his province is a treasure trove of natural resources, tourism potential, agriculture, minerals, hydropower, and extensive oil and gas reserves, offering innumerable opportunities for domestic and foreign investors.

During a high-level meeting with a delegation of the United Business Group (UBG) at his official residence in Islamabad, the Governor also voiced strong support for reopening border routes and trade corridors, emphasising that Pakistan's commerce must gain better access to Central Asian states to further boost business, trade, and economic activity.

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

Governor Kundi announced that an international tourism summit will soon be organised to promote tourism in K-P, adding that consultations with Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari and other stakeholders were already underway. He indicated that the proposed summit is likely to be held in Nathia Gali and at the Governor's House in Peshawar.

"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.

Emphasising the need for women's economic independence, the Governor noted that women engaged in handicrafts and home-based industries were not receiving fair compensation for their skills. He said that business and industrial circles in Islamabad could play a pivotal role in connecting these skilled women to national and international markets. He added that the access of business leaders to diplomatic circles and high-level institutions could help effectively promote and sell women-made products.

Tariq Sadiq remarked that K-P held extraordinary potential in investment, tourism, and minerals, and that close collaboration between the private sector and the government was indispensable to harness these opportunities. He affirmed that the business community was ready to play its full part in the province's economic development.