Daily Times

KARACHI: The 10th Expo Pakistan continued to receive overwhelming response from foreign delegates of Russia, Argentina, Vietnam, Netherlands, Jordan, Thailand, Czech Republic, Bangladesh, South Korea and Uzbekistan who expressed interest in enhancing trade and investment ties in some of the key sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

Exchanging views with Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muffasar Atta Malik, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice President Rehan Hanif and KCCI managing committee members, the foreign delegates sought KCCI’s assistance in identifying the right partners for exploring investment opportunities and facilitating joint ventures for production and supply of goods in the Pakistani market.

During a business to business session, the Netherland’s Deputy Head of Mission Josephine Frantzen said that the Netherlands embassy had been striving to promote trade and investment between the two countries and the Dutch business community was being encouraged to visit and explore the Pakistani market. “We are always available to guide the Pakistani business community on how to enhance trade with their Dutch counterparts and explore opportunities of investment in the Netherlands,” she added.

She said the Dutch delegation in Karachi to attend Expo Pakistan mainly comprised of businesspersons and industrialists from the textile sector who were deeply interested in exploring opportunities in Pakistan. “Currently, a study is being carried out in the agriculture sector of Pakistan to examine the possibility of Dutch investment in this sector of Pakistan’s economy. In this regard, a Dutch trade mission’s visit is also being planned in order to explore trade and investment opportunities in the agriculture sector whereas another trade mission from Dutch textile sector is also likely to visit Karachi and Lahore. Furthermore, a maritime mission from Pakistan to the Netherlands is also due in near future,” she added. Members of Dutch delegation were led by Pakistan Embassy Commercial Counsellor Syed Mahmood Hassan.

Exchanging views with KCCI office-bearers, Thai Chamber of Commerce Deputy Secretary General Dr Sombat Thiratrakoolchai pointed out that Pakistan and Thailand had been enjoying excellent relations for many years and the relations had been growing further with the passage of time. “More than 75 companies are currently in Karachi to explore opportunities of expanding businesses and seek ways of how to join hands with their counterparts in Pakistan,” he added.

Russian delegation, led by Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry Deputy Chairman Sergey Vasiliev, while expressing keenness to expand trade ties with their counterparts in Pakistan, sought KCCI’s assistance in finding the right partner. They also appreciated numerous products and services displayed at the Expo Pakistan.

Delegations from Czech Republic, Bangladesh, South Korea, Japan and Bangladesh also discussed matters of mutual interest with the KCCI leaders.

Businessmen Group Vice Chairman & former president KCCI Anjum Nisar highly appreciated the foreign delegates for their participation in Expo Pakistan. He informed that many multinational companies from countries around the world had been successfully doing businesses and had no issues in Karachi.

During his interaction with members of Thai delegation, Anjum Nisar opined that the business communities of the two countries can collaborate in different sectors including agriculture, textiles, leather, surgical equipment and sports goods. With a consolidated population of 300 million, Pakistan and Thailand could do wonders, he added.

Exchanging views with the delegates, President KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik stressed the need for exchange of trade delegations which would surely prove favourable and yield positive results. “Efforts have to be made from both sides in order to further cement the existing relations between the business communities through constant interactions, seminars, single country exhibitions, and exchanges of trade and investment missions,” he added.

He extended full support and cooperation to foreign delegates in finding the right partner in Karachi, the hub of national trade and economic activities.

KCCI president pointed out that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had opened huge number of investment opportunities for foreign investors who can surely benefit by setting up their businesses in 9 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being established across the country under CPEC project. “Two of these SEZs are being established in Karachi where foreign investors can either set up their businesses or undertake joint ventures which would surely create a win-win situation, keeping in view the investment potential of this city,” he added.

He was of the opinion that the improved law and order situation across the country along with the CPEC project had paved way for an economic boost in the next 7 to 10 years, making Pakistan the hub of economic activities of the region and a reliable gateway giving easy access to not just China but also to other Central Asian republics and beyond.

“This is the right time for the business and industrial communities around the world to take advantage of the investment friendly situation emerging in Pakistan,” he added.

Published in Daily Times, November 12^th 2017.