After the historic oval office meeting on 22 July 2019 between President Trump and PM Imran Khan, there was jubilation amongst the business community of Pakistan. In order to provide a platform to build trade and investment relations between the two countries, USPAK Trade Development Council was formed under the leadership of Syed Turab Shah. Many seasoned business community members joined USPAK Trade Development Council and decided to form a delegation to visit Houston. The sole purpose of this delegation was to bring the talent from Pakistan to display their work in America and to provide women entrepreneurs with an opportunity to display their products and services in Houston to increase their sales and network with American business women who came at George Brown Convention Center to visit the trade exhibition and seek bilateral trade opportunities with Pakistani business community.
Houston is one of the busiest business hub in America and what could more favorable than to link it with the young entrepreneurs of Karachi and leaders from corporate world to join the delegation of USPAK Trade Development Council to fulfill the vision of President Trump and PM Khan on bilateral trade.
A Special interview of H.E. Ibrar Hashmi Consul General of Pakistan For Houston USA. Very special thanks to Mr. Abdul Rehman Sr. Reporter Capital Tv.
Posted by USPAK Trade Development Council on Saturday, December 7, 2019
The excitement of the business delegates coming from Pakistan was seen days before their departure on 20th November 2019. Good luck dinners were hosted in Karachi for the business delegation. The dates of the trade exhibition were fixed for 23rd and 24th November 2019 to hold exhibition at George Brown Convention Center in Houston in Texas. The 71 members delegation was led by Syed Turab Shah Founder President USPAK-TDC, a fresh visas from US Consulate has issued 51 visas includes management & supporting partners, 40 delegates participated in the exhibition and 04 couldn’t travel due to some tragedy in the family. Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig chairman Baig Group of Companies participates in this exhibition as a Chief Guest.
On 22nd November 2019, Dr Mubashir Chaudary President Chamber of Commerce USA held dinner in honor of the members of the USPAK TDC who arrived from Karachi on 21st November 2019. On dinner, everyone was excited to be in Houston and collectively all the members expressed their delight to look forward for two big days ahead of the Trade Exhibition.
Consul General of Pakistan, Houston, Mr Abrar Hashmi praised the efforts of USPAK Trade Development Council to enhance trade and business dealings between Pakistan and U.S. Mr Abrar Hashmi also said that the Commercial Attaché of Pakistan Consulate Houston shall soon join the consulate to perform the necessary duties to facilitate trade and investment. He also stressed upon the need to explore niche products to embark upon the “ethnic presence” of “halal food products” to be exported from Pakistan to U.S. so that the overseas Pakistanis can easily purchase halal food for their ease in cooking.
The Mayor of Houston also greeted the President of USPAK-TDC Syed Turab Shah and General Secretary Syed Aminullah Hussaini at mayor’s office and discussed mutual interests in trade and investment. The mayor lauded the efforts of women entrepreneurs and took keen interest in fashion clothing displayed by many women members of the trade delegation to Houston.
The ION is a project of Station Houston, an 115,000 square foot structure designed to bring Houston’s entrepreneurial, corporate and academic communities together into collaborative spaces and programs. Miss Stewart Cory, Chief of Staff met with the members of USPAK TDC in Houston and briefed them with latest strategies to bring communities together.
On education front, the delegation was led by Pakistan’s top educationist Syed Tariq Shah who held several successful meetings with the Mayor of Houston, County offices at Houston, local educationists of Houston. In all these meetings, special mention is to the credit of Mr Saeed Shaikh – President Pakistan Houston Twin City Association Houston as he arranged lot of on-site logistics and meetings for members of the USPAK Trade Development Council who traveled to Houston to take part in the trade exhibition.
After successful exhibition, on 25th November 2019, members of USPAK-TDC met with Mr Christopher Olson – Director Trade and International Affairs at Mayor of Houston office, Jessica G.K. Ngo – Director of Education, Juliet Stipeche – International Programs Manager. Now the whole delegation is back to Pakistan after their successful trip to Houston. It was reported by a woman seen in the local community of downtown Houston, who was walking near a park, located near the George Brown Convention Center stating that “I have never seen such an active Pakistani trade event at the convention center in my life.”
Exclusive News Report By:
Kanwal Abidi, staff journalist @theAZB is a White House Correspondent & Bureau Chief, Washington D.C. She has reported from Houston on USPAK Trade Exhibition held at George Brown Convention Center on 23rd and 24th November 2019
