Muhammad Aamer, Pakistan

 

Commercial Counsellor
Consulate General of Pakistan, New York, USA
Public Finance Program (’05)

 

 

 

What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

Basically, I am a Civil Engineer and graduated from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan in 1992. I also obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in International Affairs but I never worked in the engineering profession and rather opted for a career in the Civil Services of Pakistan.

The selection in Customs and Excise Group is done through an examination held by the Federal Government called Central Superior Services (CSS) of Pakistan. Around 4,000 candidates appeared in 1992 and after written and psychological tests, and the interview, only around 140 were selected. I was ultimately allocated to the Customs and Excise Group.

I have been a Customs Officer since 1993 and specialized in Pakistan’s Customs laws and procedures and international trade. I have also worked for several years in Sales Tax (Value Added Tax) as well as in the Central Excise Duty.

 

You are currently Commercial Counsellor at the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York. What are your main tasks and responsibilities?

My work is dedicated to the promotion of trade between Pakistan and the U.S. We need to enhance Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable trading partner and to develop favourable commercial relations between trading enterprises in Pakistan and the U.S. To support this mission and assist the Ministry of Commerce in the formulation of national trade policy and export development strategy, I am responsible for a wide array of tasks. These include collecting and analyzing economic, commercial and trade data relevant to trade policy and export strategy of Pakistan.

In the field of market research and promotion, we carry out market surveys to identify and create opportunities for Pakistan’s exportable goods and services and ensure that the relevant government bodies, commercial organizations and Pakistani export community have up-to-date knowledge of trading conditions and export prospects and opportunities in the U.S. We also propagate the possibilities of Pakistan trade by means of lectures, display of films and other suitable methods. Arranging activities to attract foreign investment to Pakistan, encourage Pakistan’s participation in major projects abroad and stimulate tourist interest in Pakistan are also major part of my job.

 

Furthermore, assisting the Pakistan Government in participation, where decided, in international conferences, meetings, seminars etc., on matters related to trade and commerce held in the area and/or to report on the proceedings of such conferences is another area of my responsibilities.

Finally, we monitor the implementation of trade agreements / arrangements between Pakistan and the U.S., and work for the removal of any hindrances to the implementation of such agreements as far as Pakistan’s interests are concerned.

 

In this capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for the US-Pakistan relations over the course of the next five to ten years?

The U.S. is the single largest trading partner of Pakistan. Pakistan occupies a relatively small portion in the U.S. trade among its peers. The total trade between Pakistan and the U.S. totalled $5.4 billion in calendar year 2010. Exports to U.S. were $3.5 billion. Among exports from Pakistan, textile and apparels is the main sector but still Pakistan’s share in the U.S. textile sector is just above 3%. In many other major sectors, Pakistan’s shareis minimal. Similarly, U.S. exports to Pakistan were $1.9 billion and concentrated in few sectors in 2010.

There is huge potential for increasing the trade and economic relations between the two countries. Firstly, there is a favourable exchange rate between the Pakistani rupee and the U.S dollar. The U.S. dollar has depreciated against major world currencies in recent years but is still strong as compared to the Pakistani rupee. Secondly, Pakistan is negotiating preferential market access issues with the U.S. If the preferential market access is given to Pakistan, our exports to U.S. might double in the next few years. Thirdly, the bill for establishment of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) is pending in the Congress. If approved, the goods originating from the designated areas of Pakistan will enter the U.S. duty free. Fourthly, Pakistan is negotiating Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the U.S. If the BIT is passed, we can expect to see a large increase of U.S. investment in Pakistan. Fifthly, the U.S. has recently approved the import of mangoes from Pakistan and lastly, the U.S. has passed the Kerry-Luger Bill, under which a grant will be issued to develop social and physical infrastructure of Pakistan.

 

Among these challenges, close economic cooperation between Pakistan and the U.S hinges on the war on terror, jointly coordinated between Pakistan and the U.S. If confidence building measures are properly implemented and hurdles removed, it will have a spillway effect on the expansion of economic relations between Pakistan and the U.S.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work and what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

The biggest challenge I face in my work is to defend Pakistan and present another side of the picture in the face of the negative stories that appear in the media most of the time. The way Pakistan is projected scares away businessmen. It gets really hard to dispel the negative impression and make people believe in the economy, stability and growth potential of Pakistan.

I deal with economy, finance and international trade which in itself are very dynamic areas and close to my heart. I have worked in a developing economy and now working in the biggest and most developed economy of the world. I also deal with more than 70 trade offices of different countries in New York. The scope of work, the magnitude, the issues are a lot different from Pakistan. The business environment, and its style and ethics, has made me more knowledgeable and understanding of the business world.

 

What led you to GRIPS? What was the most important thing you learned while here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours?

As mentioned earlier, I am a Customs Officer dealing with international trade which has a direct correlation with the international economy and finance. When I learned about the scholarship offered by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to enroll in the GRIPS Masters program in Public Finance, it came quite close to what I was looking for and hence applied for it.

My major subjects in GRIPS were econometrics, international economics, game theory, finance and customs which gave me an insight into the dynamism of an economy. Now I am utilizing my knowledge depending upon the post I am working in. While working at the current post, I have to prepare country economic reports and comment on the financial aspects as well. I am able to do this professionally because of my learning at GRIPS. Similarly, while working in Customs in Pakistan, I drew a co-relation between the working of Japanese and Pakistan Customs

Besides education, I learned how great it is to be humble and how team work helps in achieving the goals. I have practically seen the ingredients which make a nation great.

 

Did the, perhaps more lucrative, private sector ever hold any appeal for you?

It is basically a matter of balancing game between the job satisfaction, stipend and your career goals. In government service, the stipend is normally less than what the private sector offers but for some, it holds more job satisfaction, jurisdiction and influence. When a government person enters the policy making level, the decisions made affect a large strata of people in the society, both nationally and internationally.

 

In the private sector, the range of influence is generally less but salaries are more generous than in government jobs. However, recently there is a trend to develop public-private partnerships, to make Corporations to limit the role of the government. Now these Boards, Corporations etc. offer market-based packages while doing the work of the government. Similarly, working in one of the many multinational agencies and organizations like The World Bank, IMF, ADB offer a very unique experience as well as a good package. Such organizations hold an appeal for me.

 

If you could choose another profession to be in, what would it be?

I would like to be a professional engineer.

 

What is your fondest memory of your time spent in Japan? And what do you miss about Japan?

There are so many things in my memory that to single out one would do injustice to the rest. I enjoyed travelling to Hokkaido, Kyoto, Nara, Kanazawa, living in Odaiba, cruising by Shinkansen, getting lost in the huge underground Tokyo train stations, speaking a mix of Japanese and English and using hands simultaneously when asking for directions, enjoying the serenity of Japanese botanical gardens, shopping in Akihabara, climbing the Tokyo Tower, smiles of the children, bowing of the Japanese, ladies wearing kimonos, small parties in TIEC, and what not.

 

What do you like about living in New York?

New York is one of the busiest cities in the world. Life is busy, fast and there is something going on all the time. No matter what your age is, there is something of interest for you. Central Park, perhaps the most famous park in the world, is right across from my office. Also around the corner are innumerable museums, many of which I have not been able to see yet, world famous Broadway live musical theatres, parades on the streets of Manhattan, including the Macy’s day parade,Times Square, the European style SoHo area with its cobblestone streets, and cuisines of just about every country in the world. New York is a lively city and it never sleeps. It’s a life-time experience.

 

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

I like to watch T.V. serials or movies and do internet surfing in my leisure.

 

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

I maintain a complete divide between my home and office. When I am in the office, I do my office work with full dedication and seldom take any short leave unless there is an emergency. But when I am off from work, I do not take my office to home. On weekends, I spend my time with my family and do the household chores. After every 3 to 4 months, I take short vacations and enjoy my life to the fullest. I am fond of travelling and do not miss any chance to discover the length and breadth of America. I keep a close contact with my relatives and friends. Every other weekend, either I go to their place, dine with them in a restaurant or invite them to my home. I avoid discussing office with my friends. Instead, I prefer to discuss a host of other issues that increases my knowledge about many other things.

 

What advice would you give to current GRIPS students?

To be student again is a life time experience. As a student you can learn and read much more than when you are working. In practical life, you spend your prime time working in a limited environment whereas being a student, there is no limit to acquiring knowledge. So utilize this time to the maximum.

GRIPS is an expanding and rising academic institute among its peers. It offers a variety of academic courses for both the international and Japanese students. Besides academics, it also offers language courses. And it has a dedicated and a professional teaching faculty. My advice to the current GRIPS students is to utilize the potential of GRIPS by unearthing the hidden potential but your first priority should go to the academics and research. Besides this, you should also make friends in Japan and learn and respect their cultures and traditions.

 

Do you have any suggestions on how to further strengthen and utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

I must appreciate the GRIPS administration for developing and maintaining the GRIPS alumni network which is continuously expanding. In order to strengthen the bonds between the school and the alumni, it is suggested that an annual function of alumni should be held in GRIPS, Tokyo every year in which all GRIPS alumni should be invited.

The e-newsletter, either monthly or quarterly on GRIPS activities should be developed and circulated among all GRIPS current students and alumni regularly. A yahoo group or similar group email for the GRIPS alumni may be initiated so that alumni may share their views and network with each other.