RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) organizing its 31st Achievement Award ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan here on July 4-5. A business opportunity conference will also be held on the side lines of the event. This was stated by RCCI President Zahid Latif Khan at a media briefing at Baku on the eve of the ceremony.
Explaining the awards ceremony, RCCI President Zahid Latif Khan said that the trade institutions and industrialists showing outstanding performance and helping strengthen the economy of the country will be awarded under different categories.
RCCI president said that RCCI has been working to promote the soft image of Pakistan in the world. After Dubai and Turkey now Achievement Award ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan from 4 to 5 July 2018 will promote soft image of Pakistan in international business community.
RCCI president told that more than 450 participants representing different sectors including Tourism, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Plastic, Textile, Surgical goods, furniture, food and constructions are participating in the event.
RCCI President also appreciated the supportive role played by Azerbaijan embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan embassy in Azerbaijan. The ambassador Pakistan to Azerbaijan Dr. Saeed Khan Mohmand lauded RCCI efforts to promote business activities in the region and enhancing trade relations between the two countries. He assured his full support for RCCI’s business conference and also shown strong commitment from his office in future events.
He further told that during the ceremony there would business to business meetings with Pakistan and Azerbaijan business community. This would give them opportunity to exchange their views and make future investment plans. The local chambers are showing interest in meeting with the Pakistani businessmen. He said that RCCI is very hopeful that with this initiative, our businessmen would have a chance to be a part of joint ventures in the future.
Group leader and former president Suhail Altaf, senior vice president Nasir Mirza, chairman achievement awards Khawaja Rashid Waien, representatives from Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) ,former presidents, members of the executive committee, former vice president Asim Malik and business men also present at the press conference.
President Zahid Latif said that Azerbaijan is always very friendly and supportive of Pakistan. Pakistan was the third country after Turkey and Romania that recognized Azerbaijan immediately and built diplomatic ties after its independence from USSR in 1991. Pakistan-Azerbaijan completed more than 22 years of bilateral relationship. The cooperation between the two states extends to every sphere ranging from political, economic, technological, security to cultural arenas. Azerbaijan and Pakistan are enjoying good relations that describes them as “friendly and brotherly” countries.
RCCI chief further elaborated the hurdles being faced by two countries in promoting bilateral trade. The banking channel, Air connectivity (direct flights), Tariff barriers, alternate rail and road network, Visa free facility and lucrative incentives should be provided to enhance bilateral trade relations, he added.
He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has now become a reality on the ground. There is a need to explore new avenues of joint ventures and trade connectivity under the umbrella of CPEC. He said Pakistan would become hub of regional connectivity as CPEC would put it on a centre stage due to new energy infrastructure and trade routes.
