ISLAMABAD: There was immense scope for enhancing bilateral trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Bahrain and Pakistan embassy in Bahrain should facilitate business communities of both countries in making direct contacts for exploring opportunities of business matchmakings, joint ventures and investment in areas of mutual interest.
This was stressed by Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry while exchanging views with Muhammad Saeed Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Bahrain during his recent visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
He said Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy cordial relations and share common perceptions on many regional and international issues. However, bilateral trade of around US$200 million was not in commensurate with the level of good relations. He said encouraging frequent exchange of trade delegations and holding single country exhibitions was the best option to increase two way trade. He said the lack of exchange of information on trade and investment opportunities was the main reason of negligible trade volume between the two countries and emphasized that Pakistani Embassy in Bahrain should identify market potential of Pakistani products in Bahrain and share such information with Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industry so that our business community could step up efforts for taking advantage of potential trade opportunities in Bahrain.
He said there were great investment potential for Bahraini investors in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy, particularly in the energy sector, including hydropower, coal, oil and gas and Pakistan Embassy should play its role for increasing Bahraini investment in Pakistan.
Speaking at the occasion, Muhammad Saeed Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Bahrain said that his Embassy was taking all possible measures for providing greater impetus to bilateral trade between the two countries.
He said during the visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Bahrain in January 2015 and his meetings with Bahraini Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, both countries had signed many agreements and hoped that their implementation would pave way for boosting up bilateral trade between the two brotherly countries. He said Pakistani fruits and vegetables have great demand in Bahrain and Pakistani entrepreneurs should try to organize products exhibitions in Bahrain that will boost their trade.
He said ICCI should form a business delegation for Bahrain to explore new avenues of cooperation and his embassy would extend its cooperation for making its visit productive and mutually beneficial. He said around 100,000 Pakistanis were employed in Bahrain making significant contribution to its economic development while his embassy was trying to identify more job opportunities for Pakistanis in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He assured that his embassy will work with ICCI to bring private sectors of both countries even closer.
