PCC-USA Holds Annual Meeting in Houston
Houston: Pakistan Chamber of Commerce-USA held a joint meeting of its 2008 and 2009 boards to discuss the annual plan for 2009 and transition of power to the incoming board. The meeting was called to order by the outgoing President Saeed Shaikh who outlined the achievements made during 2008. The key achievements were signing of MoU with Pakistan Gem & Jewelry Development Company (PGJDC), Trade Development Authority (TDAP), Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (ICCI) and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce (SCCI); opening of two chapters in Southern California and New York; organization of twelve educational seminars; and collaboration with PGJDC to organize the first ever Pakistan Gem and Jewelry EXPO in Houston.
After taking over the chair from Saeed Sheikh, incoming President Tariq Zaka outlined the plans for 2009. The salient features of the plans are to sign MoUs with Sarhad and Quetta Chambers of Commerce & Industry; creation of opportunities for small businesses to benefit from PCC-USA; promotion of bilateral trade between US and Pakistan; incorporation of corporate members in the body and promotion of Houston as a distribution center for Pakistani imports. President Zaka requested all members of the board to give their full cooperation and be proactive in the implementation of the plan.
The members of the board took part in a lively discussion to learn from past successes and failures in order to make the Chamber more effective. It was decided that three working groups comprising PCC-USA board members and senior leadership will be formed to implement specific plans during the year. This step will help the chamber achieve measurable performance in key areas.
Outgoing President Muhammad Saeed Shaikh informed the board that the Governor of Texas Rick Perry will be the chief guest during the annual dinner to be held on March 12, 2009. President-elect Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi informed the board that a conference of Pakistani business leaders will be organized on March 13 in which leaders of Pakistani chamber and trade bodies besides business leaders from the USA . The objective of the conference will be to activate the MoUs and identify areas of cooperation for economic development.
The meeting was attended by Chairman Advisory Council Haroon Shaikh, Chairman Council of Past Presidents Gul Faraz Khan and past President Dr. Barkat Charania.
