ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) signed a letter of Co-operation with USAID, Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA).
President RCCI Mian Humayun Parvez called it a great step and said that this will provide access to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) through regional economic integration.
He said that our Trade associations, logistics companies, business associations, Government ministries and regional counter-parts will get an advantage and it will help and facilitate our local traders and business men to explore business opportunities in the regional markets.
In this regard a signing ceremony will be held today and Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana is likely to be the chief guest. After the signing ceremony, President Mian Humayun Parvez will address a news conference
A well-placed source privy to President RCCI Humayun Parvez told this scribe her on Sunday that goal of Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) is to increase access to international markets in order to enhance Pakistan’s regional economic integration with its neighbors.
By strengthening public and private sector capacities to implement trade policy reform and improving trade promotion and facilitation, PREIA aims to improve the trade environment, resulting in increased regional trade and transit flows.
The new Activity has planned focus areas including improving the strengthening private sector and civil society’s engagement in trade policy-making and its reform; improving regional trade and transit facilitation by Pakistan Customs; and improving regional business to business linkages.
The first two areas support broad improvements to the business enabling environment in Pakistan regarding trade, and the others support improved capacity for Pakistani businesses to access regional markets.
Trade associations, logistics firms, business associations, GOP ministries and regional counter-parts will increase access to markets through the negotiation and implementation of treaties and trade facilitation measures.
As a result of assistance provided through PREIA, Pakistan will have improved capacity in the analysis of trade policy choices, and the private sector will be recognized as a key stakeholder in both policy making and implementation, with the ultimate aim of creating jobs and raising incomes.
