ISLAMABAD: A 9-member delegation of local businessmen led by Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, Chairman ICCI Founder Group and former President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry visited New Zealand to explore business opportunities and called on H.E. Ms. Zehra H. Akbari, Pakistani High Commissioner to New Zealand in Wellington.
The delegation represented different areas of agro sector including flour millers, rice millers, Halal food processers, exporters and poultry farmers. The matters regarding bilateral trade were discussed and the business prospects for Pakistan were highlighted.
Addressing the delegation, Ms. Zehra Akbari said that New Zealand offers good opportunities for promoting the export of Pakistani products. She said a large number of Pakistani and Indian communities are living in New Zealand having same culture and eating habits. Thus Pakistani businessmen have great scope to promote export of their agro and food products to New Zealand.
She said Pakistan and New Zealand have enjoyed good relations over many years, especially in the field of sports, education and culture, but trade and economic relations are still below their existing potential. She said New Zealand is now focusing towards Asia for trade and Pakistani businessmen should accelerate their efforts for tapping all untapped areas of exports promotion.
She said more business delegations from Pakistan should visit New Zealand to explore new trade prospects. She assured that Pakistan Embassy in New Zealand would extend all possible support and facilitation service to Pakistani entrepreneurs for improving bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, Chairman, ICCI Founder Group said we have come here to discover more trade opportunities for Pakistani products, especially in agro and food sectors. He said there are opportunities for exporting Pakistani food products, mangoes, textiles, apparel, carpets and software products to New Zealand.
He said Pakistan Embassy in New Zealand should facilitate by passing on information regarding trade opportunities available in this country so that Pakistani businessmen could make efforts to exploit the same. He said New Zealand has already cooperated with Pakistan in the development of its dairy industry and we can benefit a lot from New Zealand’s expertise in agriculture, food processing, dairy, animal health and post-harvesting techniques by furthering improving connectivity between the private sectors of two countries.
