HONORARY INVESTMENT COUNSELOR OF PAKISTAN IN JAPAN

Mr. Akira Yamamura, Founder Member of Pakistan Japan Business Forum and recipient of Sitara- e-Pakistan in 2001 and now based in Japan, has been appointed Honorary Investment Counsellor of Pakistan. In a communiqué by Mr. Waseem Haqqie, Chairman, Board of Investment, Mr. Yamamura has been requested to build the image of Pakistan, work as a liaison between BOI and Japanese investors, assist prospective investors in arranging their visits to Pakistan, provide information about the facilities available here, guide the BOI in arranging Investors' Conferences, identify genuine investors, organize periodic trade delegations, and accompany the trade delegations to Pakistan.

EMIRATES COMPLETES US$ 90 MILLION ISLAMIC FINANCING FOR ONE AIRCRAFT

Emirates has signed a US$90 million Islamic financing agreement for an Airbus A330 airliner using Islamic funds over a 10-year term. This is the third A330 that Emirates has financed using Islamic funds during the last 12 months.

The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in August and is the 23rd of 29 Airbus A330-200s currently on firm order. The A330 fleet is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 Series engines.

APTMA DISASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM COTTON COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Nadeem Maqbool, Chairman Aptma expressed surprised at the report appearing in the national press about the recommendations of the Special Committee on cotton calling for an imposition of regulatory duty on import of cotton. It has been reported that Aptma was part of the Committee which recommended the imposition of the duty. Aptma Chairman, Mr. Nadeem Maqbool was strongly refuted the reports that Aptma has consented to the contents of the report sent to the President.

Mr. Nadeem Maqbool stated that he had taken part in the deliberations of the Committee and at the time had strongly opposed any kind of restrictions on the import of cotton. Aptma has even sent it's objections on the Committee deliberations to the Convenor, Mr. Shafi Niaz as well as all concerned government functionaries. A copy of this letter is also being released to the press to support Aptma's contention.

HSBC NEW CAMPAIGN

HSBC has recently launched a new marketing campaign across the Asia-pacific region to promote their trade services. Alan Wilkinson head of Trade Services Asia-Pacific said: "The new campaign makes a clear and powerful statement about what HSBC Trade Services stands for. Our advertising campaign will show anyone who banks with HSBC Trade Services can benefit from our local insights and global expertise."

Peter Waterhouse, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Pakistan said: "HSBC strongly believes in working closely with our customers in order to provide tailor made solutions to their needs. This is particularly important where the financing of international trade is concerned. Our customers want real solutions to meet the challenges they face. With our international reach and strong local knowledge we can help them exploit opportunities and become partners in their long-term growth."

HSBC Trade Services has played a key role in international commerce since 1865 and in Pakistan, HSBC has been serving the international trade sector since 1982.