Pakistani traders visit Hou

HOUSTON: Pakistan Consul General in Houston Afzal Mahmood has said traders from Pakistan and the US play a major role in relations between the two countries.’He said that trade volume between Pakistan and 11 states of US is one billion dollar of which Texas has share of 325 million dollars.He was addressing a reception in honor of visiting delegation of Pakistani traders. The meeting was sponsored by Saeed Sheikh of ‘Karachi Houston sister city project.To promote bilateral trade between Pakistan and the US, he said, it is necessary to formulate business strategies through prominent entrepreneurs.He said that Pakistan chamber should promote trips to Texas oil field. The Consul General said that law and order situation in Pakistan was less than satisfactory from 2007 to 2013, however the situation has improved much since then.Mahmood said that Mayor of Houston and Texas Governor are willing to visit ‘Pakistan soon.The visiting delegation leaders Ibrahim Kasoji, member National ‘Assembly Rasheed Godiyal, prominent Texas businessman Tahir Javed, and sister ‘city representatives also addressed the event.Speaking on the occasion Ibrahim Kasoji said that Karachi ‘chamber of Commerce is among top chambers in the world, which has a membership of around twenty thousand individuals.He said Pakistan had been a victim of terrorism but ‘things have much improved now, and country is on the path to growth.Texas entrepreneur Tahir Javed said that it is important to promote bilateral ties between two countries through trade delegation, conferences and trade affairs.Karachi Houston sister city President Saeed Sheikh said that ‘sister city is playing a major role in promoting trade ties between the two ‘countries.The visiting delegation from Pakistan also toured Sam’s club, Walls Street, Bank of America and HoustonPort.They also met with Houston Mayors ‘office of Trade department officers and Council Members Gregory Cross.Welcoming the visiting group, the city official said that sister city program ‘can help ‘boost trade ties with Pakistan chambers and promote environment ‘for relationship between the traders of the two countries.A dinner was hosted in the honor of visiting delegation by ‘Counsel General Afzal Mahmood.’