ISLAMABAD: The auto industry of Pakistan has come a long way in the last two decades and has the potential to be the backbone of Pakistan’s manufacturing base going forward. Apart from its contribution to the GDP and technology transfer, the sector has become one of the largest revenue generators and a significant provider of employment opportunities for the emerging youth,’ said Saquib Shirazi, the new chairman, Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA).
At a farewell dinner hosted in honour of the outgoing chairman, Hirafumi Nagao, a large number of previous chairmen and PAMA members gathered to appreciate the contributions of the recently retired MD of Pak Suzuki. In his farewell address, Nagao himself remarked that “PAMA has played a positive role in strengthening the auto sector of Pakistan by engaging proactively with the government on policy matters. Of the many initiatives, the current AIDP has already started delivering. Production of cars, tractors, LCVs and motorcycles have reached new heights and, given Pakistan’s population, the potential is bright. On the back of stable economic policies, the sector can grow and attract more investment.”
Industry leader and past chairman Ali S Habib also praised the efforts of Nagao, who has served in Pak Suzuki for nearly 20 years and contributed heavily to the development of the auto industry. ‘Services of Nagao to the auto industry of Pakistan will always be remembered, especially for his efforts towards localisation and ongoing vendor development, which is turning out to be the launch pad for the sector’s growth,’ he added.
PAMA DG Waheed welcomed the new executive committee comprising of Saquib H Shirazi as chairman, Yoshihiro Kondo as senior vice chairman and Sohail Bashir Rana as vice chairman. He expressed his confidence that under their leadership, PAMA will further the objectives of the industry. He also welcomed the other elected members of the executive committee of PAMA for year 2017-18 namely Ali Asghar Jamali of Indus Motors, Masafumi Harano of Pak Suzuki, Col Zafaruddin of Sigma Motors, Muazzam Pervaiz Khan of Gandhara Industries, Jahanzeb Khan of Master Motors, Shahid Naseem of Omega Industries and Fahad Iqbal of Ravi Automobiles.
