ISLAMABAD: A 30-member delegation of young foreign diplomats has visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) for an interaction with local business community and to promote bilateral trade and investment between Pakistan and their respective home countries.
The young diplomats, undergoing 23rd Junior Diplomatic Course at Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan, exchanged their views with the local businessmen to explore new areas of mutual cooperation.
The diplomats were representing various countries including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Comoros, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Hungary, Madagascar, Maldives, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vietnam and Yemen.
Addressing the visiting guests, ICCI President Muzzamil Hussain Sabri said that foreign diplomats have crucial role to promote bilateral trade and economic relations between host and home countries. He said foreign diplomats should adopt a proactive approach and conduct market studies to find out export potential of home country products in host country.
They should share such information with private sectors in home country so that businessmen could take advantage of potential business and investment opportunities in foreign countries. He briefed them about economic potential of Pakistan and said that Pakistan offered lucrative investment opportunities in various sectors of its economy including infrastructure development, energy, exploration of oil & gas and minerals, agro industry and other areas.
He said they should inform investors in their home countries to explore Pakistan for joint ventures and direct investment in order to gain high returns. He said foreign diplomats have got first-hand knowledge about market potential of Pakistan and when they go back, they should play positive role in promoting a soft image of Pakistan in outside world.
Madam Mumtaz Zara Baloch, Director Academy said that Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan was currently running the 23rd Junior Diplomatic Course for foreign diplomats. She said the purpose of taking these young foreign diplomats to various organizations was to introduce Pakistan and its people as well as potential for trade and investment.
