Daily Times

Islamabad: With the support of Global Affairs Canada, Canada Pakistan Business Council (CPBC) is organizing a five-day Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Delegation to Pakistan in the week of March 11, 2019. Canada Pakistan Business Council President Samir Dossal is leading the ICT Delegation 2019.

This is to help Canadian ICT companies to access the international markets. ICT Mission is also participating in the high profile “Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit 2019.” ICT is a booming industry in Pakistan and many Canadian companies are doing business with their Pakistani counterparts. Since its inception in 1983, CPBC’s objective has been to promote trade with Pakistan.

Canada Pakistan Business Council (CPBC) is partnering with Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITES to facilitate meetings, visits, presentations and seminars in various ICT sectors such as ERP/Business Software, AI, Education Software, Video Games while also directly identifying interested parties to meet their Canadian counterparts. The Canadian High Commission in Islamabad has extended complete support in establishing groundwork in Pakistan. The delegation carries greetings of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Can-Pak Parliamentary Friendship group and various other parliamentarians.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau applauded efforts by CPBC and ICT delegation to enhance business relations with Pakistani community. He stated, “I extend my best wishes to the members of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Delegation as they travel to Pakistan. Through meetings, presentations, seminars, and visits with various ICT sectors and stakeholders, this delegation will aim to develop and enhance relationships with their counterparts in Pakistan.” He further added that it was an important step towards increasing market access for Canadian and Pakistani ICT companies.

Co-chairs of the Canada-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association, Salma Zahid and Rob Oliphant, in their message of support added that there is potential for even greater cooperation and a stronger friendship between our two countries and your trade delegation will surely create opportunities for further growth and shared prosperity.  Due to efforts by CPBC, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Canada reached over $1.04 billion in 2017, with Canadian exports to Pakistan mounting $693 million. The Canada-Pakistan Friendship Association reiterated on strengthening the business and trade relationship and ensuring access to the finest products from Pakistan.

Published in Daily Times, March 9^th 2019.