HANOI: Vietnam’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Nguyen Xuan Luu, during his visit to Karachi Chamber on Monday, said many Vietnamese company were interested to do trade and investment in different sectors in Pakistan; with focus on Karachi.
” Karachi is a very important city and has a huge economic potential. Certainly, it is an economic hub of Pakistan,” he commented while talking to President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, KCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi and other senior officials of the chamber. He agreed that bilateral trade and investment was much lower than the potential on the two sides.
His meeting was in line with 16-member Vietnamese business delegation’s visit to KCCI scheduled for August 12.
He said ,” I am here to explore and enhance cooperation.”
More cooperation can be between KCCI and Vietnamese companies, he asserted adding that he would welcome KCCI delegation to Vietnam.
He supported KCCI President’s recommendation for signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between KCCI and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce for increased cooperation.
He acknowledged KCCI role in promoting trade and industry.
Vietnam’s Ambassador said Pakistan has a huge consumers market and Vietnam’s business community can benefit from this opportunity.
” I see very good business in Pakistan,” he remarked.
Many Vietnamese companies had shown their keenness to invest and provide their expertise in various economic sectors of Pakistan especially in agriculture and seafood.
He said Vietnam also can import different items mainly textile and leather products.
He supported KCCI President’s proposal for more interaction including exchange of delegations at the two governments and the private sectors’ level for promotion of bilateral trade and strengthening the economic cooperation/partnership.
Vietnam’s Ambassador mentioned that he had very good liaison with Pakistan Ambassador to Vietnam and tried his best to exchange information relating to trade and investment between the two countries.
He also supported that at least preferential trade agreement (PTA) should be signed between the two countries , which will create a win-win situation for both the peoples.
To a question about visa policy, Vietnam’s diplomat informed the Pakistani business community that his country had a very liberal visa policy. A business visa, on recommendation by KCCI and other chambers of Pakistan, is issued within 6 to 7 days. In special cases, this is done even in three days.
The diplomat said his country had signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with ten countries and negotiations were in progress to sign FTAs with another eleven countries including Europe, United States, France.
Vietnam’s Ambassador highlighted the main features of his country’s economy and the economic policies; with note that Vietnam and Pakistan can be very good partners.
