Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc. (PAMURI) Founder and Former Chairman Shameem Qurashi was awarded the 2023 Arangkada Philippines Lifetime Achievement Award. Qurashi was presented by the members of the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) with the award during the 12th Arangkada Philippines Forum on October 25, 2023.
PAMURI Director Atty. Mimi Lopez Malvar, in her conferment speech for Qurashi, highlighted the key role Qurashi played in encouraging entry of Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQs) and Regional Headquarters (RHQs) into the country, and in promoting the country as an investment destination.
“Shameem has been a key advocate for the improvement of the business climate and the pursuit of better investment and inclusive growth in the Philippines,” according to Atty. Malvar.
Qurashi was one the founders of PAMURI, an industry association formed in 1982 to represent and entice ROHQs and RHQs to invest in the country which can then provide management support to parent companies and affiliates globally. He was instrumental in pushing for the enactment of Republic Act No. 8756 or the ROHQ law, the legal framework for ROHQs in the Philippines, and in designing incentives that would entice ROHQs to locate in the country.
As Chairman of PAMURI, Qurashi was also instrumental in the formation of the JFC, a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, Korean chambers and PAMURI that supports and promotes open international trade, increased foreign investment, and improved conditions for business to benefit both the Philippines and the countries the JFC members represent.
The Arangkada Philippines Lifetime Achievement award is given by the members of JFC for individuals of any nationality residing in the Philippines in recognition of their significant contributions in improving the country’s business environment.
Qurashi is the eleventh recipient of the award. Previous awardees include: former Senator Franklin Drilon (2022); Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III (2021); Peter Wallace, Honorary Chairman of the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (2020); former DFA Secretary Delia D. Albert (2019); the late Sen. Edgardo J. Angara (2018); former BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr (2017); the late former DFA Secretary Roberto R. Romulo (2016); the late Washington Z. Sycip, founder of SGV (2015); former PEZA Director-General Lilia de Lima, (2014); and the late former President Fidel V. Ramos (2013).
Receiving the award for Shameem was his son, Safdar Qurashi.